Thursday, March 1, 2012

Foods that keep you Hydrated

Do you know that our body contains 70% of water and majority of our body weight is made up of water? Every organ, cell and tissue in our body depends on water to function properly, so, our body relies highly on water for survival. That’s why, staying hydrated is very important. Everyone knows that they can stay hydrated by drinking water. It is fact that nothing can beat a glass of water when you are truly desiccated; though…though…though water is not the only thing that keeps us hydrated as there are many other high water-volume foodstuffs that can also supply fluids to our body and keep us hydrated. Indeed, vegetables and fruits are made up of 90 percent of water and we can get more than 20% of our daily Hydration needs from them. Every foodstuff provides different amount of hydrating content, and some of them are better for hydrating sources than others. Want to plan a hydration-friendly meal? Want to know about the best high water-volume foods that can make it easier for you to meet your hydration needs? Continue your reading…

Foods that keep you Hydrated

Foods that keep you Hydrated

1, Watermelon
Watermelon – the name itself suggests that it is loaded with water in abundance. This sweet & juicy red-fleshed fruit is one of the best hydrating foods which helps to keep you hydrated in the summer.
Watermelon is composed of about 92% of water that is high enough to balance the loss of fluids of our body. Besides this extremely high water content, it is also rich in essential hydrating salts, magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, which are ideal to replenish our body in hot summer days.

Watermelon can hydrate people more efficiently than water and even sports drinks, thanks to its combination of hydrating salts, natural sugars, minerals and obviously 92% of water content.

Watermelon is also a good source of vitamin A and C which are essential for our heart, bones and skin. As well, it contains an antioxidant lycopene that may help to defend against some types of cancer and heart disease.

The best thing is that it does not have so many calories, so, people who are on diet can also enjoy it.

2, Cucumbers

Like watermelon, cucumbers also composed with the high amount of water. The flesh of the cucumber locates most of the water in it. The water content of cucumber is 95 percent, that’s why; one cup of cucumber slices can quench the thirst as effectively as a glass of water.

Besides the water content, the flesh of cucumbers also contains caffeic acid and vitamin C, both of them help to reduce swelling and soothe skin irritations significantly, that's reason why cucumbers are utilized to ease sunburn and swollen eyes. Cucumbers contain with a lot of other nutrients which help to nourish and hydrate the body. They can supply a little fiber, too.

Cucumbers can be eaten plan, or it is great to eat them on top of salads. You can even make some refreshing cucumber recipes such as soups, dips and pickles. As well, get inspired by adding cucumber in your water to get a refreshing summer drink.

3, Apples

Might aware of the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? This saying proves that Apple is a basic, everyday fruit. Apples and applesauce both are good hydrating foods. One medium size apple contains 110 milliliters of fluids.

Apple is a refreshing superfood, which you can avail year-round. This juicy fruits are good source of the antioxidant quercetin and fibers. The amount of sugar is low in green apples than red apples.

In addition to hydration, apples are beneficial in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing some chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers.

4, Cooked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is not a hydrating food at its own. But when you prepare a bowl of oatmeal, all the water or milk that you poured to cook oats get absorbed by them. That is why; a bowl of cooked oatmeal contains more water than oranges, cucumbers, or soup.

Oatmeal is a rich source of soluble and insoluble fibers that help to lower the blood cholesterol levels, in a way; it helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases. It is also useful to stabilize blood sugar, lower risk of colon cancer and enhance fitness levels.

5, Salad Greens

Most of the salad greens are loaded with more than 90 percent of water, and that’s why two cups of lettuce greens contain fewer than 15 calories. So, we can consider this mixed greens salad as low-energy density food which can keep you hydrated make you feel fuller on fewer calories and help to lose weight faster.

Salad greens are also a good source of nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, folate, and the antioxidant beta carotene that helps to keep our skin and eyes healthy. Moreover, taking a salad for lunch or dinner is a great way to eradicate a couple of veggie servings.

6, Cantaloupe, Strawberries, Peaches

All three fruits are mostly composed of water, as well they contains potassium in abundance. Potassium is an electrolyte, which can be lost through our sweat. The electrolytes sodium and potassium work together and maintains fluid levels in the body, this ultimately helps to regulate our blood circulation and heartbeat.

One cup of each fruit provides our daily needs between 5 to 10 %. You can get benefit of all three fruits by making a cool soup: Blend together cantaloupe, strawberries, peach nectar, sea salt, and lime juice.

7, Zucchini

Zucchini is one of the best hydrating vegetables, as it contains approximately 95 percent of water by weight. This veggie is incredibly low in calories and its healthy serving delivers fewer than 25 calories, so it provides a great way to make you feel fuller without loading up on calories.

Zucchini is also an excellent source of protein, fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamins A & C, and all these are essential nutrients for good health.

8, Celery

Celery is well-known as a source for “negative calories”, because it is loaded with almost 96 percent of water, as well it takes loads of energy to crunch and swallow.

This refreshing crunchy veggie also contains lots of vitamins, amino acids and mineral salts and all these help to fulfill the hydration need of our body twice as effectively as a glass of water. Therefore, celery is estimated as a great snack to rejuvenate and rehydrate the skin as well as the body.

9, Carrots

The appearance of the carrots is like a dense vegetable, but in reality, they are very hydrating. Carrots are composed of 87 percent of water.

Moreover, they are very rich in a powerful antioxidant beta-carotene compared to other vegetables or fruits. Beta-carotene is vital to help the eye sight and to protect against senile cataracts and macular degeneration.

The nutrients found in carrots are very beneficial to protect us against lung, skin and oral cavity cancers.

10, Pineapple

Pineapples are delicious juicy fruit, which are enriched with the hydrating elements on the top. It is a great fruit to consume for helping the body detoxify naturally itself as well in losing extra weight.

Beside the hydrating elements, they also contain bromelain. Bromelain is a mixture of compounds having potent anti-inflammatory powers, which helps in reducing inflammation and accelerates muscle repair. So, it has a lot of health benefits.

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