Fact: as you age, you become more susceptible to dehydration.
Between a decreased thirst response and lower fluid content in your body, you need to stay on top of your fluid intake to prevent health complications such as constipation, joint problems and kidney issues.
Naturally, the best course of action is to keep on drinking water throughout the day. But for some, this is something that is easier said than done. Did you know there are ways to stay hydrated without downing glasses of plain old water? Here are some alternative options for keeping hydrated.
5 Ways to Stay Hydrated Without Drinking Plain Water
Eat Your Veggies
If there needs to be yet another reason for you to eat your veggies, then consider this: a produce-heavy diet is a great alternative to drinking water. In fact, most greens, such as cucumbers and lettuce, are packed with 96% water. And that’s just the greens alone. Add other vegetables to these and you have yourself a healthy, filling and hydrating boost.
Try this: Whip up a hydrating salad by mixing lettuce, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, carrots and bell peppers.
Eat More Summer Fruits
The heat can get unbearable in the summer, but it’s a good thing that Mother Nature has her way of counteracting this by giving us summer fruits. For example, strawberries and watermelon are both 92% water. Cantaloupe has 90% water as well.
Try this: Slice watermelon into cubes and snack on these with feta cheese.
Make a Cold Soup
Soup, as you already know, is also up to the task of providing hydration for your body. You can make it with some of your favorite hydrating vegetables to truly enjoy it. Of course, with the sweltering heat, the last thing that you may want to do is to sip on hot soup. This is where cold soup comes in. Who says that soup can’t be both hydrating and refreshing?
Try this: Make a cucumber soup from blended yogurt, mint, cucumber and ice cubes.
Try Coconut Water
Need to replenish fluid and electrolytes in your body without the extra sugar that typically comes with traditional sports drinks? Studies show that coconut water is nature’s super-hydrator. It can help you replenish electrolytes and keep you properly hydrated, especially after your exercise.
Try this: Although drinking cold coconut juice sounds more refreshing, opt for a fresh one for a sweeter flavor.
Spice Up Your Water
Add herbs like mint to your water to mix it up. If you want more flavor in your water, you can also give it a little more interesting by adding fresh fruit for taste.
Try this: You can brew a bag of herbal tea for a tasty and antioxidant-rich drink or you can simply add mint to your cold glass of water.
Hydration is important for your health and well-being. It can aid in digestion, regulate your body temperature, keep your brain sharp, maintain cardiac function, among many other benefits. However, taking in the right amount of water can be a difficult task for some. Good thing there are alternative solutions that you can try to stay hydrated such as eating more greens and summer fruits.