Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated

With the summer heat beginning to sweep in, we are more frequently reminded of the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated, but are there foods that can help with that?

This hack, to be clear, is not about finding an alternative to drinking water — it's about foods that can add an additional dose of hydration magic. 

This hack is for both the hydration warriors lugging around their massive water bottles as well as people simply looking for tasty dual-purpose snacks. Here are four foods that can help boost your hydration while sating your snacking needs:

1. Cucumber

Water content: 96%¹

Water is not the only thing cucumbers are good for — they also contain high levels of vitamin K, which strengthens bones,²³ and potassium, which supports your muscles, nerves, kidneys and heart function.⁴⁵ Curious about your heart health? Try imaware's at-home Baseline Heart Health Test.  

In addition to being a popular snack, cucumber slices are commonly placed on people's eyelids as they enjoy a face mask or other spa experience. This is because cucumbers act as natural cold compresses to soothe swelling or puffiness, the high water content of cucumbers hydrates the skin, and thanks to other nutrients, cucumbers are believed to assist in reducing dark undereye circles.⁶

2. Watermelon

Water content: 92%⁷

It's even in the name! This refreshing juicy snack also contains essential nutrients like vitamins A and C.⁸ Individuals keeping an eye on their blood glucose levels may be curious to know that while watermelon does have a high glycemic index, which is a scale on how foods may affect blood glucose levels, watermelon has a low glycemic load — a more comprehensive analysis of a food's impact on blood glucose — due to its low amount of carbohydrates.⁹

Monitor your glucose and HbA1c levels from home with imaware's Prediabetes / Diabetes Screening Test.

3. Strawberries

Water content: 91%¹⁰

Strawberries are hydrating, delicious and nutritious, with high levels of essential vitamins and minerals. Strawberries are also a great source of fiber, which helps with bowel health, cholesterol levels and blood sugar management.¹¹

Did you know that approximately one cup of strawberries meets the recommended daily value of vitamin C?¹²¹³ Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, absorb iron and maintain a strong immune system.¹⁴ Assess your immune system with imaware’s Immune Defense Test. 

4. Oranges

Water content: 87%¹⁵

Like strawberries, oranges are a hydrating snack packed full of vitamin C. Oranges are also a high source of potassium, an essential mineral and one of the significant electrolytes, alongside sodium, magnesium, chloride, calcium, phosphate and bicarbonates.¹⁶ The hydrating qualities and electrolyte boost have made oranges a staple for half-time snacks among children's soccer games and NFL leagues alike.¹⁷

Hydration is just one part of keeping your body healthy and robust — assess your general health with imaware's easy at-home Men's Health & Wellness Test or Women's Health & Wellness Test.

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References:

1. Department of Health. Nutrient analysis of fruit and vegetables. Accessed June 19, 2023.
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Cucumber, with peel, raw. Accessed June 19, 2023.
3. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin K - Consumers. Accessed June 19, 2023.
4. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Cucumber, with peel, raw. Accessed June 19, 2023.
5. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Potassium - Consumers. Accessed June 19, 2023.
6. The Journal of Aging Research & Lifestyle. Evaluating the Potential Benefits of Cucumbers for Improved Health and Skin Care. Accessed June 19, 2023.
7. EXCLI Journal. Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims. Accessed June 19, 2023.
8. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Watermelon, raw. Accessed June 19, 2023.
9. Harvard Health Publishing. The lowdown on glycemic index and glycemic load. Accessed June 19, 2023.
10. Department of Health. Nutrients analysis of fruits and vegetables. Accessed June 19, 2023.
11. Mayo Clinic. Nutrition and healthy eating. Accessed June 19, 2023.
12. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Strawberries, raw. Accessed June 19, 2023.
13. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C - Consumers. Accessed June 19, 2023.
14.  National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C - Health Professionals. Accessed June 19, 2023.
15. Department of Health. Nutrients analysis of fruits and vegetables. Accessed June 19, 2023.
16. StatPearls. Electrolytes. Accessed June 19, 2023.
17. The Athletic. The NFL’s sticky, sweet halftime snack? Orange slices. Accessed June 19, 2023.