Staying Hydrated
Fruits and vegetables offer the very best sources of water, along with a wide range of health benefits. The high-fibre water-rich foods, work well for weight management since the combination of water and fibre helps you feel fuller faster. These foods are all low in calories, which also goes well for weight management. Fruits and vegetables not only help you stay hydrated but also promote good digestive health, which naturally translates into good overall health.
Here are eight water-rich foods that help you stay hydrated along with a little information on why staying hydrated is so important
Stay hydrated by trying out these delicious juice recipes.
Lettuce
Lettuce easily tops the list of water-rich foods, with a water content of 96 percent. Along with being a good water source, lettuce has a high-fibre content, which helps keep the digestive tract in good working order. Lettuce also contains high amounts of vitamin A and K, two nutrients that support bone and immune system health.
Potatoes
Potatoes, another water-rich food, average around 80 percent in water content, with the waxy varieties such as red skin potatoes having the highest water content. Potatoes are also high in potassium. Potassium counteracts the effects of sodium and in the process helps lower the risk of developing high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.
Cucumbers
Cucumber, another high-rolling, water-rich food, has a 95 percent water content. Like potatoes, cucumbers are also high in potassium. Cucumbers offer yet another health benefit in the form of fisetin. Fisetin is an anti-inflammatory agent that’s known to support brain health.
Cauliflower
With a water content of 92 percent, cauliflower is one of the most under-acclaimed vegetables when it comes to nutrient content. In fact, cauliflower contains almost every vitamin and mineral the body needs, including vitamins C, K, B6, B9, magnesium, potassium, and pantothenic acid, to name a few. While this vegetable may seem somewhat bland, a tasty recipe can help you transform the homely cauliflower into a delicious meal.
Tomatoes
Another water-rich food, the versatile, hearty tomato has a water content of up to 95 percent. Nutrient-wise, tomatoes are no slouch. Tomatoes contain high amounts of lycopene (a cancer-fighting carotenoid), vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, just to name a few.
Eggplant
Along with their wide array of colours (white, green, purple and orange), eggplants offer a healthy water source, clocking in at 89 percent. Eggplants also contain lots of nutrients, including vitamin K, copper, potassium, several B vitamins, and manganese. Their high fibre content makes this vegetable even more appealing to your digestive tract.
Watermelon
With a water content of 92 percent, this water-rich food is not only a summertime favourite but also offers high levels of glutathione, one of the body’s primary antioxidants and detoxifiers. Glutathione also takes part in more than a few essential biochemical processes in the body, including:
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Contains protein-building agent
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Assists with DNA synthesis and repair
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Regulates smooth muscle movements
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Promotes enzyme activation
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe, last but not least in the water-rich food group, has a 90 percent water content. And, like all the other water-rich foods on this list, cantaloupe offers a host of health benefits. This tasty treat is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and several B vitamins. Last, cantaloupe is another high-fibre food, something the body can never get enough of.
Remember, staying hydrated is an essential part of staying healthy. Drinking water can easily meet this requirement, as well as eating lots of water-rich foods to help you meet your proper hydration needs.
Stay hydrated by trying out these delicious juice recipes.
