Water retention associated with hormonal fluctuations and sodium imbalance involves the accumulation of excess fluid within tissues due to altered electrolyte regulation, vascular pressure changes, hormonal signaling, and impaired fluid clearance. This condition commonly affects the legs, feet, hands, abdomen, and face, and may fluctuate throughout the day depending on dietary intake, hydration status, stress response activity, and endocrine regulation. Elevated sodium intake combined with low potassium intake can contribute to intracellular and extracellular fluid imbalance, increasing water retention through osmotic mechanisms and altered renal sodium handling. Hormonal shifts involving aldosterone, cortisol, vasopressin, estrogen, progesterone, and insulin signaling may influence kidney sodium retention, vascular permeability, and lymphatic drainage. Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption within the kidneys, while vasopressin regulates water conservation through renal collecting ducts. Elevated cortisol and stress-response signaling may further amplify fluid retention through RAAS activation and inflammatory signaling. Reduced intake of potassium-rich whole foods may impair normal electrolyte balancing and vascular tone regulation. Dietary patterns high in processed foods, excess sodium, refined carbohydrates, and low-fiber foods are frequently associated with increased fluid retention and endothelial stress. Conversely, whole-food plant-based nutrition emphasizing potassium-rich vegetables, fruits, legumes, herbs, and high-water-content foods supports hydration equilibrium, vascular function, nitric oxide signaling, and renal filtration balance. Fiber-rich foods also assist glycemic stability and insulin regulation, both of which influence sodium handling and fluid distribution. Polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and sulfur-containing plant compounds may help support endothelial integrity, oxidative balance, inflammatory modulation, and microvascular circulation. Potassium-rich foods including celery, cucumber, watermelon, spinach, beetroot, citrus fruits, and legumes contribute to favorable sodium-potassium balance. Nitrate-containing vegetables such as beetroot and arugula may support nitric oxide production and vascular relaxation, assisting fluid movement and circulation. Hydration patterns also influence water retention physiology. Inadequate fluid intake may paradoxically increase water conservation signaling through vasopressin pathways. Consistent hydration from water-rich fruits and vegetables supports osmotic balance, urinary flow, and lymphatic circulation. Magnesium-rich whole foods further contribute to electrolyte balance, vascular relaxation, muscular function, and metabolic regulation linked to fluid balance. A comprehensive plant-based dietary pattern emphasizing potassium-rich vegetables, legumes, whole grains, antioxidant-rich fruits, and anti-inflammatory herbs supports multiple biological systems involved in hydration regulation, sodium handling, endothelial stability, and hormonal balance while reducing excess sodium burden commonly associated with processed dietary intake.