What is water retention and how is it harmful?

Question

I was reading about the health benefits of licorice and among its many good qualities there were some bad and one of which was "water retention" what is that?

Answer 1

Not releasing water from your body.

It means you are carrying extra water in your blood vessels, organs and also some other areas of the body.  

That may lead to high blood pressure.  That must be why they say licorice can raise your blood pressure.  

Water retention and why it's bad

1.  Blood vessels - high blood pressure which puts strain on organs and can cause a stroke

2.  Organs - put a strain on heart or kidneys and can damage them.

3.  Other areas - such as ankles may swell and cause pain.  

Water retention is the opposite of dehydration which is also bad because your blood volume drops.  

It is possible with too much hydration to flood or drown the tissues.  

I don't think the small amount of fluid retention licorice might cause could be serious unless you have other problems preexisting.