The only way to beat the unpleasant heat is by keeping yourself well hydrated. Fresh fruit juice, water, tea, coffee, and even food, just keep them coming. Because we all are aware of what happens if we don’t get adequate water, don’t we?
Our body is made up of about sixty percent water, which is why it’s key to our body’s day-to-day functioning. When we perspire, we lose essential salts like potassium, sodium, and chloride, which are responsible for the body’s muscle operation and cell-to-cell communication.
And not drinking sufficient water could cause droopy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, the inability to focus, fatigue, and even mood swings. (What happens when you don’t drink adequate water?)
As the temperature spikes, so does our body’s need for water. And to prevent ourselves from being dehydrated, we need to focus a bit more on what we drink or, in this case, eat.
Researchers suggest that food is also a great source of water. One should drink adequate water in the summers. But solid food also offers a surprising amount of water, which can balance our body’s water level.
Here’s a list of foods you should make sure to take in a hot climate. They’ll keep you energized, feeling hydrated, and give you great, healthy glowing skin.
Lettuce possibly has the highest water content, nearly 95 percent! It’s also protein-dense, is low on calories, and is devoid of fat. Apart from all of that, it’s got a whole lot of fiber, Omega 3, and calcium. The other veggies that come close to this type of water content are cucumbers.
Have you ever wondered how they came up with the tagline, ‘cool as a cucumber’? No matter what the climate is outside, the cucumber’s temperature remains low because of its rich water content [1].
In Asian countries, you’ll usually find iceberg lettuce in big bundles that are light green, sometimes even fluorescent in color. They can be very affordable for a bundle if you purchase them from a wholesale supermarket, but be sure to consume them within two days of buying as they tend to go bad quickly, particularly in the summer heat.
[Read: 5 Impressive Lettuce Benefits ]
It’s juicy, it’s sweet, and it’s loaded with nearly 89 percent water content. Broccoli is one of those veggies that’s always been considered a superfood and for a good reason. It can prevent cancer, boost your immune system, promote heart health, prevent osteoarthritis, and is very good for our eyes.
It’s also abundantly rich in vitamin C, which makes collagen. This helps heal wounds quickly. Broccoli also has anti-inflammatory attributes that can help battle summer allergies.
We are aware apples are rich in Vitamin A, C, and E. They’re also high in phytonutrients that curb damage caused by free radicals and thereby prevent diabetes and heart disease.
They’re also part of an array of teeth whitening fruits. But are you aware that an apple is made of 86 percent water? Its rich water content helps you stay healthy, energized and also lowers cholesterol [3].
Yogurt is silky, creamy, simple, made with live micro-organisms known as ‘pro-biotic,’ and packed with a string of health benefits. It supports our immune system, helps with constipation, stomach acidity, protects your body from infections, and lowers fat content.
It’s also one of the finest things to have in the summer because it comes straight from the fridge and has around eighty-five percent of water content. Lastly, yogurt is an excellent source of vitamin B, protein, and calcium.
[Read: Benefits of yogurt]
This one is possibly the most unexpected food on this list. But a significant one. Rice is rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, folate, and fiber.
Cooked rice has around 70 percent water and helps replenish the water lost from our body. And if you think overeating white rice will make you fat, then switch to red rice or brown rice, both of which are equally tasty.
Not only is this favorite summer fruit made up of 92% water, but it’s also a leading source of lycopene. This antioxidant may reduce a guy’s risk of prostate cancer.
Other health benefits include vitamins A, C, and B6. For an extra refreshing post-exercise boost, cut it up into scoop out balls or convenient cubes with a melon ball scooper (trim off the rind to save space) and then sock it away in your freezer. You can either thaw it out slowly in the fridge overnight or eat it frozen (it’ll taste like a sweet slushie).
[Read: Health Benefits of Watermelon]
A recent study that appeared in MSSE (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise) observed coconut water’s replenishing abilities of body fluids, just like sports drinks—and even better than plain water. Coconut water should not be confused with its high-calorie brother coconut milk, which is water that’s tapped from green, young coconuts.
It has potassium and is sometimes fortified with added sodium, which helps active people retain water when they sweat. Compared to typical sports beverages, coconut water has less sodium and fewer calories but higher potassium amounts.
According to recent studies, as long as you relish the taste, coconut water may be better at keeping you hydrated for light recreational exercise than water or a sports drink. It’s usually found without added sugars but does contain about 60 calories per 11-oz serving.
Tomato juice has the proper balance of water and sodium content to keep people hydrated, and, strangely, a study conducted by scientists in Germany noted that people perceive it to taste much better on airplanes, which is why we see it flying out of the aisles at the rate of more than 449,000 gallons per year on Lufthansa airlines alone.
Bonus nutrients: All that lycopene is excellent for your prostate, folks. So reach for the can when you feel that thirst kick in.
[Read: Health Benefits of Tomato Juice]
Staying hydrated is extremely crucial for your overall health. Health researchers often suggest drinking several glasses of water per day to meet your hydration requirements, but the water content of foods is mostly ignored.
While drinking water is essential, you can consume a significant amount of water by including various vegetables, water-rich fruits, and dairy products in your diet. This is why many individuals don’t necessarily have to drink loads of water.
As long as you’re taking plenty of water-rich foods and drinking water when you feel thirsty, you won’t have an issue staying hydrated.