Have you ever come home from a long day of work and for some strange reason can't seem to get your ring off your finger? Ever tried on a ring in a store wondering if your finger size has grown? Well wonder no more, researcher has determined puffy, swollen fingers are a direct result of fluid retention, formerly known as edema.

Edema occurs when excess fluid from the body tissues is not removed. Fluid retention frequently occurs in individuals' hands, feet, lower legs, arms, face and stomach. However, one can reduce their chances of fluid retention but lowering or opting out of eating an array of foods.

Fluid retention can be caused by a high sodium diet. High levels of sodium can cause your body to retain excess fluid, giving you that puffy feeling. Even the healthiest person, may be consuming too much sodium by devouring foods such as bread, cottage cheese and dressings.

Foods with a high sodium intake one should avoid are:

-Soy sauce

-Deli meats

-Pizza

-Fries

-Cottage cheese

-Olives

-High processed foods (i.e. chips)

Additionally, in order to reduce the excess water in the body's tissue, one should add:

- Dandelion greens: This natural plant can help relieve your bloated stomach, and it is low in saturated fats and very low in cholesterol. It is also a good source of folate, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, and a very good source of dietary fiber.

- Fruits and veggies: The high water content in almost all fruits and vegetables can help rid the body of excess fluid: The more water you take in, the less your body tries to hold onto.

- Celery: This crunchy veggie acts as diuretics and helps your body let go of excess water it's retaining.

- Tea (peppermint, ginger and chamomile): Consuming fluids such as tea can help food pass through the stomach and relieve gas.