Stay Hydrated This Summer: Eat Your Water
Did You Know: The human body is 60-75% water?
In the hot, humid (and sweaty) summer months, it’s more important than ever to keep up on hydration. News Flash: drinking plain, pure H20 is NOT the best way to hydrate. In fact, you may be drinking well over the recommended 8-10 cups per day and still be dehydrated!
A little lesson on physiology: each of your 50-100 trillion cells has a sodium-potassium pump that acts as the “bouncer”, determining what gets in and what must go. For your cells (the basic building blocks of all living things) to thrive, the “bouncer” needs incentive to open - this allows nutrients to get in and waste materials to get out. What’s the golden ticket for entry? MINERALS!
Although water is essential for everything from energy to digestion, detoxification and heart health, minerals are equally as important. Why? Because sodium, potassium, magnesium and other micronutrients trigger the sodium-potassium pump to open and allow the water you’re drinking to actually get INTO the cells.
In addition to drinking filtered water, mineral water and/or electrolyte-infused beverages, I encourage you to load up on hydrating foods Why? Because most fruits and vegetables are packed with water AND the minerals needed to assist in its absorption. Plus, the “cellular water” found in produce is structured, thus absorbed slower and more helpful for sustained hydration.
Supercharge your diet this summer by adding these uber-hydrating fruits and veggies:
Cucumbers - comprised of 96% water, cucumbers are also rich in vitamin K and potassium. In addition to hydrating, they also help strengthen the bones, fight inflammation and reduce bloating. Add cucumbers to your water, munch on them with a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper, or enjoy them in a summer-fresh salad.
Celery - this long, lean fibrous veggie packs in 95% water, along with minerals such as potassium, manganese, calcium and magnesium. Extremely alkalizing, celery can be juiced, added to sauces or included in your next stir fry to assist in energy, detoxification and joint pain reduction.
Spinach - categorized as a dark leafy green, spinach contains 92% water as well as iron, vitamin K and vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene). Whether you’re adding this veggie to your next smoothie, sauce or salad, I always recommend combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C-rich foods (such as citrus, strawberries or bell peppers—vitamin C increases iron absorption by up to 6 times! Click here for one of my favorite smoothie recipes.
Watermelon - rich in skin-protective lycopene, watermelon is nearly 92% water. Nothing beats drinking fresh watermelon juice on a hot summer day—you can literally feel your cells perking back up as the nutrients infuse tip to toe!
Strawberries - providing nearly 91% water, strawberries are fiber-rich and packed with vitamin C—nutrients that promote digestion and detoxification, boost immunity, increase energy, nourish the adrenals, and support weight loss. Pro Tip: always buy ORGANIC—strawberries are the #1 sprayed crop in the U.S. Enjoy berries (of all varieties) atop yogurt, alone or blended into your next homemade sorbet!
Staying hydrated is not just about drinking more water. By adding water and mineral -rich fruits and veggies to your diet (i.e. cucumbers, celery, spinach, watermelon and strawberries), you’ll hydrate faster and sustain the resulting energy, brain and body benefits longer. Yet another powerful example of food as medicine!