Everyone knows that it’s essential to keep your body hydrated for its smooth functioning. “Well yeah, I do drink a lot of water. I sweat a lot, but to keep up with it, I drink around eight glasses of water every day”, commonly said by everyone. Well, guess what. Drinking too much water won’t be enough to keep your body functioning.

“Eat your water” is a phrase used to make people understand that drinking about eight glasses of water is not sufficient to keep your body hydrated.

Hydration doesn’t mean the amount of water you consume, rather how much water you can hold. Hydrated cells are paramount for a healthy body. It is incredibly important to drink water. Drinking too much water, too quickly, can flush the necessary nutrients from your body. As well it gets rid of the excess fluids by causing you to pee more.

What should we do then?

Eating foods that contain a high percentage of water enables us to absorb the water more slowly. The water we get from food stays in our bodies longer and has the added benefits of providing the necessary nutrients. So now it’s a complete win-win.

But what should I eat to keep myself hydrated?

Don’t worry, let me help you with that. Here are some of the most commonly used food items that contain a high amount of water in them to keep your body well hydrated.

1) Watermelon:

As the name suggests, watermelon is around 90% water, making it useful for staying hydrated in the summer. It can also satisfy a sweet tooth with its natural sugars. Watermelon also contains antioxidants that can help remove molecules known as free radicals, or reactive species, from the body. Watermelon juice appears to enhance the absorption of citrulline, an amino acid that reduces muscle soreness.

2) Tomato:

Tomatoes have many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer; also, the water content is around 95%. It is even higher than a watermelon, making it a perfect fruit to keep yourself hydrated. Well, what more could you ask?

3) Cucumber:

Cucumber has up to 95% water and two compounds known as ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, which prevents water retention. Due to its high water content, it boosts your body’s hydration and flushes out toxins. So don’t forget to add it to your salads.

4) Spinach:

Spinach has up to 93% of water. Not only is it good for hydration, but spinach is also a good source of iron. Iron is essential for helping to transport oxygen around your immune system, and for keeping your immune system healthy. Eating this leafy green vegetable may even benefit your eye health, reduce oxidative stress, and reduce blood pressure levels, among other health functions.

5) Kiwi:

Kiwis are small fruits that pack a lot of flavor and plenty of health benefits. It is rich in vitamins that are good for your skin, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, vitamin K and potassium. In addition to that, kiwi is excellent for flushing out toxins from the colon.

6) Carrot:

The water content in carrots ranges from 86-95%. In addition to it, carrots contain some fiber and several essential nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and magnesium. It is also quite low in calories. It provides only 46 calories per cup, which eventually helps in weight loss and lower blood pressure.

Make sure you eat raw fruits and veggies as cooking reduces the water content. You can also blend the fruit and the vegetable to make a delicious and nutritious juice or smoothie. Drinking water is excellent, but eating it is even better.