Fruit Keeps You Hydrated And Other Tips for Summer You Don’t Want to Miss

Did you know you that some foods can help you stay hydrated?

As we approach summer, remind your shoppers they don’t have to drink gallons of water to stay hydrated. They can turn to foods for their hydration.

We all know that water is essential to our wellbeing, In fact, nearly 60 percent of our body’s weight is made up of water; and for optimal functioning we need to consume about eight cups a day.

We are all different and therefore our water needs vary depending many factors including: food consumed, ambient temperature, humidity, individual activity level, age and more. 

On average, adults lose about 10 cups of water every day through normal body functions including perspiration and breathing. Do keep in mind that dehydration can happen in any season, not just summer and not just on hot and humid days. If you are going to be physically active, drink fluids on a schedule before, during, and after the activity.

Experts suggest:

2 cups - 2 hours before you exercise

1-2 cups – 15 minutes before you exercise

1/2 to 1 cup - every 15 minutes during activity

Drinking water is a great way to get hydrated but many people find it hard to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day.

Luckily, the foods we eat also contain water. Fruits and vegetables contain large quantities of water in proportion to their weight (versus cooked grains and meat); and the water is absorbed by the body and counts toward our total daily intake.

Topping the charts for water content at over 90 percent are raw cucumber, celery, zucchini, radish, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, cantaloupe, strawberries and watermelon. Spinach, tomatoes, carrots, pineapple and peaches also rank in at the top of the charts at almost 90 percent water content. In addition to being very hydrating, fruits and vegetables are also very filling and are nutrient dense - meaning you get more bang for your buck in terms of belly filling nutrition!

Perk up plain water with fresh-cut citrus or other fruit. Herbs like basil and mint are also fantastic as well as cucumber and lemon. Herbal teas are also great for hydration, so make a big jug of hot tea, let it cool and add ice!  You’ll also be getting valuable minerals as well from the tea, so drink up!