Benefits of Hydration: Is Only Drinking Water Enough?
Are you staying hydrated in this intense heat wave? Although you may believe that the only way to stay hydrated is to drink water but, watery fruits and vegetables can also help you stay hydrated more efficiently than water alone since they frequently contain natural levels of sugar and minerals. Let’s understand in this article.
Proper hydration is extremely important for your health. But drinking water is not the only way to stay hydrated. Foods that contain a lot of water include many fruits and vegetables. It is crucial to stay hydrated as lack of water in your body can lead to dehydration, which causes fatigue, headaches, skin problems, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, a rapid heart rate and serious complications like organ failure.
Benefits of Hydration
- It is Crucial in Maintaining Digestive Health- As lack of water in the body can cause irregular bowel movements, gas, bloating, heartburn and other discomforts impairing the quality of life, it is crucial to stay hydrated, to perform various bodily functions such as breaking down soluble fiber from food to keep the digestion process on track.
- It is Beneficial in Maintaining a Healthier Heart- As your blood is made up largely of water, lack of it can cause an imbalance of vital minerals (electrolytes) such as potassium and sodium which are key for proper functioning of your heart.
- It is Beneficial for Improving Brain Performance — Adding just a few glasses of water to your daily intake can have a positive effect on cognition, stabilize your emotions and even combat feelings of anxiety as dehydration can affect memory, mood and concentration.
- It Provides the Body with More Energy- A lack of fluids can cause your heart to work harder to pump oxygen throughout your body which requires energy expenditure making you feel tired, sluggish and less focused. Henceforth, dehydration can slow down circulation and affect the flow of oxygen to your brain.
- It is Beneficial in Improving Detoxification- Hydrating with plenty of water and including water-based foods in your diet supports your own powerful, built-in detox processes and can help enhance your overall health, as sufficient water intake supports your body’s natural detoxification systems. It is beneficial in removing waste and harmful substances through urination, breathing, perspiration and bowel movements.
Here are a Few Healthy Foods that can Contribute a Large Amount of Water to Your Diet.
- Watermelon- It is very healthy and one of the most hydrating foods with about 92% of water content in it. It is low in calories and consists of several important nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A and magnesium. Furthermore, it is rich in powerful antioxidants, such as lycopene, beneficial in reducing oxidative damage to cells, that is linked to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
- Pineapple — It is a delicious tropical fruit that can help you stay hydrated with a water content of over 85%. It also contains an enzyme called bromelain, that helps break down proteins and aid in digestion. Additionally, pineapple contains essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes that supports your overall health.
- Cucumber- It is a source of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium added as a popular ingredient for refreshing drinks, dips and salads. It offers many health benefits that include keeping you hydrated, aiding with weight loss, providing antioxidants. In addition, it also contains special nutrients called cucurbitacins, which have an antidiabetic effect.
- Tomatoes — They are made up of about 95% water, containing good source of Vitamin A, which is important for keeping your skin, eyes and immune system healthy. It is also a nutritional powerhouse, rich in fiber, vitamins C and K, potassium and antioxidants such as lycopene.
- Zucchini — It is commonly called summer squash, containing fiber, manganese, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, C and K. It is rich in water and fiber, two compounds that promote healthy digestion by reducing the risk of constipation and symptoms of various gut disorders. It also contains antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial in fighting damage to the body’s DNA.
Sweetened with fruit, this pineapple cooler is a delicious drink to stay hydrated
Ingredients
- Pineapple — 1/2 Cup ( Cored, rind taken off, and coarsely cubed for the blender)
- Water — 1 Cup
- Chia seeds — 1 tbsp
- Almond extract — 1/2 tsp
- Lemon Juice — 1/2 tsp (Optional)
Method of Preparation
- Add pineapple, water, almond extract and lemon juice into a blender.
- Stain the juice into a glass. Add few cubes of pineapples, ice cubes and chia seeds into it. Serve and enjoy!
Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Making sure you get enough water every day is an important step in maintaining your health. Fruits and vegetables typically provide good amount of water content. Henceforth, eating a diet with fresh fruits and vegetables is a good way to give the body vitamins, minerals and fiber while increasing your daily water intake.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/water-essential-to-your-body-video
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-hydrating-foods
