During the summer season we tend to lose more water than usually and that’s why it is very important to keep the body hydrated.
The body loses the water through sweating, breathing and digestion and it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. Water is essential for the human body to function properly. It is in the all body cells, tissues and organs, helps in regulating body temperature, eliminating the byproducts and toxins from the metabolism, aids in digestion, prevents constipation, transports nutrients and other essential elements to all parts of the body, moisturizes the skin. Besides drinking clean water, consuming foods that contain water is another effective way to rehydrate the body.
Here are the top 5 hydrating foods for the hot summer days
Watermelon
As the name says, 93 percent of watermelon consists of water, and it is like queen of all summer fruits. Besides its irresistible sweet taste, the watermelon is a rich source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative damage.
Cucumber
Is consisted of 96% water and ranks among highest water content foods. It is a good source of vitamin A, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, and a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. Besides keeping the body hydrated, cucumbers help in regulating the body’s inner temperature and in eliminating the toxins. Also, because of their high content of potassium and magnesium they help to lower blood pressure.
Zucchini
Zucchini is a popular summer squash made up of 95% water that is very low in calories. It is a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese. It is best to use it fresh and raw in salads because the cooking will greatly contribute to the loss of water. Due to its high vitamin and mineral content zucchini has multiple health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure, maintain eye health etc.
Tomatoes
Red, juicy and delicious, tomatoes are inevitable part of every summer season. They are a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and manganese. The vitamin K controls bleeding and blood clogging. They are good for digestion, for maintaining the blood health and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a fruit that belongs to the citrus family and it is known for its bitter taste. Due to its high water content it is great for juicing. Grapefruit contains citric acid, natural sugars and high amounts of vitamin C. Grapefruit helps in digestion by increasing the flow of gastric juices and it is very effective in lowering of cholesterol.
It is very important to keep the body hydrated during the summer season when the need for water is increased. Drinking water and fresh juices or consuming foods with high water content are an easy and delicious way to refreshment and hydration.
