Satiate your hunger AND quench your thirst with these 5 refreshing and hydrating foods

It is important to keep yourself hydrated especially during the summer. Dehydration has terrible consequences for the body such as heatstroke and seizures. It is dangerous to younger children and older adults, although those in between the age groups should also be wary of being dehydrated.

However, drinking water can be very challenging given that water in itself is unappealing. And while other drinks are tasteful, they are not very good alternatives as they often still leave you thirsty and often contain unhealthy artifical ingredients.

Fortunately, there are naturally occurring foods with a high percentage of water.

Five refreshing and hydrating foods

These five foods can be great substitutes to water and are also rich in various nutrients:

1. Cucumber

There’s a good reason why cucumber slices are often used as an eye patch to relieve puffy eyes. Cucumber is about 96 percent water and has natural cooling properties that fight dehydration and overheating. In fact, it tops a list of water-rich foods, higher than even watermelon. Moreover, it is high in fiber and packs in various nutrients that are essential for health.

For some food ideas on cucumber, you can add it to salads or blend it with mint and lime for a refreshing drink.

2. Watermelon

At about 92 percent water, watermelon is one of the most hydrating foods available. It’s also rich in vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is linked to heart health, bone health and prostate cancer prevention.

To make eating watermelon even more enjoyable, you can mix it with mint, feta, olive oil and salt and pepper to make it into a salad.

3. Strawberry

Strawberries are about 91 percent water, making them an excellent food to satiate your summer thirst. And they’re also very delicious and flavorful, perfect for adding to foods such as yogurt and salad.

Furthermore, experts linked eating more strawberries to a decrease in atherosclerosis markers in people with metabolic syndrome. Atherosclerosis is a medical condition characterized by plaques forming in the arterial walls, which commonly leads to heart attack.

4. Spinach

Along with other leafy greens, spinach is a highly nutritious vegetable that is about 91 percent water. Moreover, it is packed with iron, which plays a major role in transporting oxygen around your body and for keeping your immune system healthy.

Meanwhile, its high magnesium content can help you prevent deficiency of the mineral. Magnesium is important for over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. It also helps regulate blood pressure, support the immune system and maintain muscle and brain function.

To increase your intake of spinach, you can add spinach to a salad or a sandwich. (Related: Health benefits of spinach to help manage general health.)

5. Orange

Oranges are about 87 percent water, which means they are a hydrating food. Furthermore, eating oranges boosts your immune system as the fruit is rich in vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant plays an important role in muscle, bone, tendon, arterial, skin and even brain health. In addition, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron from the meals you consumed.

You can make a salad out orange by combining it with carrots, arugula, avocado and olive oil. Alternatively, you can simply add it to a fruit salad and top with yogurt and seeds.

By eating these five fruits, you can keep yourself hydrated during the summer and prevent the unwanted effects of dehydration. The fruits are also highly nutritious, which means they can provide various health benefits. However, it is still important to regularly drink water throughout the day.

Sources include:

MayoClinic.org

MindBodyGree.com

BerkeleyWellness.com

LiveScience.com

Bupa.co.UK

MedicalNewsToday.com