10 Simple & Easy Ways To Stay Hydrated in Summers Besides Water
- Shubham Goyal
- June 9, 2020
- Fitness
Water is the most essential way to stay hydrated but is this the only way to keep hydrate your body? The answer is absolutely no. Because there are several foods that help to increase the hydration level of the body apart from water and other liquid intakes. According to experts and studies, everyone is supposed to drink 8 glasses of water or even more per day to stay healthy and hydrated. But sometimes that seems like a daunting task in this busy schedule. Either people forget to drink the water due to their workload or they don’t have much capacity to drink plenty of water.
The human body contains around 55-65% of water and it is necessary to maintain this quantity anyhow to keep your body healthy. If you are unable to drink plenty of water then nothing to worry about, several alternatives are available. Myriad of healthy foods are available that contribute a huge part to fulfill the amount of water in your body. Surprised? Yes, many food items can meet your hydration needs. Here we are going to discuss that hoe they help to keep you hydrated in the absence of water.
1. Watermelon
Most of the people know watermelon as a tastier and rich in color fruit but do you know it contains 92% of water content? Yes, watermelon is one of the healthy and most hydrating food among others. It is quite interesting to know that one cup (approx. 154 grams) of watermelon contains 118 ml of water. In addition to water, it also contains some fiber and various crucial nutrients like VITAMIN C, VITAMIN A, and magnesium.
Being rich in all these components, it has a very low-calorie density. That literally means, a large portion of watermelon contains very few calories that mean only 46 calories per cup. Watermelon is also rich in powerful antioxidants like lycopene which helps to reduce the oxidative damaged cells.
There is no fixed time mentioned to eat this particular fruit. You can add this to your daily diet as a refreshing snack and it is commonly used as a salad.
2. Cucumber
Cucumber is another hydrated rich food that should be added to your diet. In compare to other water-rich vegetables, cucumber is another food that contains low calories. Half-cup of cucumber (like 52 grams) contains only 8 calories. Containing 95% of water, also provide nutrients like VITAMIN K, Potassium And Magnesium.
Consumption of cucumber is quite easy. You often notice most of the people add cucumber in their salad and sandwiches, but it can also be cooked in dishes like stir-fries and soups. It would be most effective if you eat a raw cucumber.
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain 94.5% of water which is quite rich in itself. Sliced and diced tomatoes are always been served in salad plates and being rich in water is the foremost reason behind this. There are several ways to pop up in your mouth, it may be in your salad, sandwiches and mainly it is added in every vegetable to add some flavor. Being rich in water, they are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits like it reduces the risk of heart attacks and cancer.
Consuming after peeling the upper skin of the tomato will increase the power of hydration. So, increase the consumption of tomato in your daily diet to stay hydrated.
4. Strawberries
Strawberry is the most favorite fruit among other fruits. One of the reasons is its alluring red color and shape. No doubt, all berries are rich in water but juicy red strawberry is one of the best as it contains 91% of water. Apart from this, it provides a lot of fiber, antioxidants and Vitamins & minerals such as vitamin C, folate and manganese.
Having strawberry on a regular basis reduces the inflammation which helps to reduce the risk of heart attack, diabetes and various types of cancer.
It is very easy to include strawberry in your daily diet. One can eat raw strawberry just to revamp taste of tongue, meanwhile, it will keep you hydrated. It is also easy to make a strawberry shake.
5. Broccoli
Like a cauliflower, raw broccoli can be added to the salad which not only enhances the look of the plate but also completes the need for the salad. It contains several different antioxidants and another source like fiber, potassium, iron, Vitamin C and K. Broccoli is not the first food that comes to mind when it comes to hydrating foods, but there is no doubt to say that it contains 90% water. You can add broccoli to your food, it will enhance the taste or color of the food besides rich in water. Try steamed broccoli or eat it as raw to get most of its nutrients and water.
6. Spinach
Green vegetables are always been suggested to stay healthy as they are rich in nutrients. Spinach is one of the green vegetables that contain a lot of nutrients and fiber along with very few calories. It has 90% of water content that helps to keep hydrate your body even if you don’t take water. Spinach is an excellent source of magnesium and also rich in calcium, iron, VITAMIN A & K, potassium, and folate.
You can make it as a great base for a salad or you can blend it and make a paste to make another recipe like palak panner etc.
7. Iceberg Lettuce
Health experts often recommend Iceberg Lettuce as it has several health-promoting properties. It may be a pack of leafy greens but it contains 96% of water, quite rich. According to the researches, one cup (approx. 72 grams) of Iceberg Lettuce renders more than a quarter cup (almost 59 ml) of water with I gram of fiber and 5% of folate for your daily needs. Lettuce has also a high amount of Vitamin K & A and it produces a low number of calories. There may be only 10 calories in a cup serving. This is very beneficial for pregnant women also as it protects from various diseases and prevents neural tube birth defects. You can easily add it to your diet by using it as a salad. Alongside, you can use it raw in sandwiches, bun, burgers, etc.
8. Soups and broths
Soups are a water-based food material that is rich in nutrients, minerals, and Vitamins. Being a water-based food material, it has the potential to keep the body hydrated and nutritious. Chicken broth is made almost entirely of water which contributes a decent amount of water in your daily life. One cup of chicken soup (around 240 grams) contains a lot of rich nutrients and minerals.
Alongside, consuming soups like spinach, tomatoes, chicken, corn, etc. may promote weight loss due to their low calories property.
According to the studies, a person who consumes soup before the main course of a meal ends up your day with lower calorie intake and it is also said that soups are a complete diet in itself.
9. Coconut water
Coconut water is considered a healthy beverage that keeps you hydrated all the time. Studies have shown that coconut water is not only beneficial for rehydrating, though it is also rich in electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and chloride. Coconut water contains 95% of water quality in it.
Moreover, drinking coconut water just after exercise is an ideal way to be healthier rather than a sports drink, since many sports drinks are loaded with sugar and other artificial ingredients that claim to give energy.
10. Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt contains 88% of water and nutrients that may boost the energy level and helps in several different aspects of your health. Do you know, one cup of plain yogurt contains more than 75% of water. It also contains several vitamins & minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. All these are especially known to promote health. On the other hand, yogurt is also a great source of protein.
Eating yogurt on a daily basis helps to reduce deficiency of water and also promotes weight loss. The market is flooded with flavored yogurt but to reap the full benefits, you should only eat plain yogurt. Flavored yogurt may be unhealthy as it may contain sugar and other artificial material to enhance the taste.
Apart from these aforementioned food products, one can also add peaches, oranges Zucchini, Celery, Bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, etc in the diet. There is no doubt to say, staying hydrated is extremely important for everyone’s health. Drinking water is important for a healthy lifestyle, you should consume a lot of water per day- according to the studies. But you can consume a significant amount of water in various other sources. As long as you will eat plenty of water-rich foods, you will not face a problem of dehydration any more.