Dehydration is everybody’s bane in summer!
Ensconced in our air-conditioned room at home or office, our natural thirst response goes into hibernation mode.
And given our preoccupied state of mind during the workday, we hardly walk to the water dispenser and get our water bottles refilled. And even if we do, we don’t take a swig too often.
We’d need to drink about 8 glasses of water each day—a “glass” counting to 200-250 ml—or keep ourselves sufficiently hydrated with cooling fluids like tender coconut or buttermilk.
And all this is because the body needs water to:
- Control body temperature
- Flush out toxins from the body
- Transport vital nutrients and oxygen to cells
- Maintain the body’s moisture balance for healthy tissues and joints
But worry not about dehydration woes, for you have a saviour in the form of these water-rich foods to notch up your hydration endeavours – which is what this blog is all about.
So, let’s dive right in!
Consuming foods that contain a lot of water helps the body efficiently absorb water to sufficiently hydrate itself, while also meeting your nutritional needs.
- Coconut Water
Rich in electrolytes—especially potassium, and magnesium—coconut water replenishes fluids lost from the body through sweat, breath, and urine.
Natural sugars and minerals also found in coconut water makes it nutritious as well.
- Onion
While hydrating the body during the hot summer months with its generous water reserves, onion contains sulphur compounds that stimulate the immune system making it a great choice of immune-boosting food.
- Watermelon
With plenty of water and electrolytes, watermelon isn’t just a great source of hydration. This wonder-melon is also rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A & C which gives your immune system a refreshing boost.
- Mint Leaves “Pudhina”
These succulent leaves not only hold an abundance of water that helps hydrate the body, but also help pacify an upset stomach and, being a natural diuretic, flush out toxins from the body.
- Tomato
Besides the hydrating benefits of its rich water content, the tomato contains a high amount of lycopene, an antioxidant, that helps protect the body from damage by free radicals.
Furthermore, Vitamin C present in the tomato recharges your immune system, boosting its efficiency.
- Curd
Consumed as is, or as buttermilk for enhanced results, curd does a splendid job of hydrating your body. But that’s not just it!
Thanks to the presence of electrolytes like potassium—which helps restore fluid balance in your body—and probiotics—which fortifies your gut health and promotes digestion—curd is a blessing for the summer, many times over!
- Cucumber
Perhaps the no-brainer go-to for a refreshing, water-squirting bite during a hot summer’s day, our much-loved cucumber has more to it!
While its Vitamin K helps improve bone health, it’s low count of calories and natural sugars make it a great choice of summertime snack—leaving you no reason for concern about weight gain.
The Bottom Line…
If you’ve read this blog up to this point, ways to stay hydrated isn’t your concern anymore. Just drink water when you feel thirsty and top it up by consuming water-rich foods. Touche!
