It’s necessary to keep our body hydrated all the time. Doing this will promote cardiovascular health, help muscles and joints work better, and cleanse our body. According to the National Academy of Medicine, healthy men should drink 3.7 liters a day while women should consume 2.7 liters a day.
While drinking water is one way to hydrate ourselves, our plates may also contain food sources that may help increase our water intake.
Listed below are some of the foods that are heavy in water content as well as important nutrients that are needed by the body to make us feel full and be able to fight a range of health problems.
Watermelon
Watermelon contains 91% water and has abundant levels of lycopene, an important component that can help protect our cells from sun damage and improve our complexion. This brightly colored fruit is a perfect snack as it has a naturally sweet taste. It can be added to a fruit salad or blended with a bit of lime juice and poured into a popsicle mold.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is 92% water by weight. This cruciferous veggie is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, B-vitamins, and fiber. Aside from this, it is also loaded with antioxidants that can help protect the body from cancer, and choline that is essential for learning and memory. Have some mashed cauliflower as a substitute for mashed potatoes.
Celery
Celery is 95.4% water by weight. This crunchy long, green stalk is low in calories but is very rich in vitamins A and K, folate and potassium. Its high levels of water content will keep us hydrated while its fiber makes us full and curbs our appetite. Consuming 10 large celery stalks can help boost our immune system and blood health.
We can simply chop the veggie into bite-sized pieces and add to a green salad or homemade soup.
Cucumbers
In addition to containing 95% water, cucumbers also contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritation and remove wastes from the body. Adding this versatile food into our diet can hydrate our body and promote glowing skin. This can easily be added to any salad or veggie tray.
We can also add cucumber slices to a tall glass of cold water and sweeten it with a lemon wedge or two and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!
Radish
Radishes are small peppery multitaskers that contain 95.3% water. In addition to delivering a hydrating punch, they also contain a healthy dose of vitamin C and some fiber. This easy-to-grow root vegetable adds color, texture, and flavor to salads. They can also be halved and dipped into a healthy veggie dip, like black beans blended with lime juice, cumin, and fresh cilantro.