Foods that Hydrate
Has anyone else noticed that one of the simplest things we can do for our skin, health and overall well-being seems to be one of the most challenging things to get in the habit? I am talking about keeping our bodies hydrated.
Hydration! Maybe not surprisingly, your overall hydration level will affect your energy levels, skin, hair, digestion, circulation and your body’s ability to lose fat. The human body is primarily made up of liquid. Because of this, we can only survive for a few days without water, where we could potentially live for weeks without food; that is how important it is to live an optimal life.
When we start getting serious about getting and staying hydrated, most of us make the first step of finding the perfect portable water bottle so we can keep sipping through the day but rarely do we stop and look at the foods that we are eating. Yes, drinking water throughout your day is essential in staying hydrated, but so is what we eat.
What we eat will dictate whether or not your body will optimally utilize the liquids you take in or end up using them to process maybe less optimal food choices. When we choose whole, live and natural foods (think anything in its purest form – vegetables, fruits, legumes, etc.), we help our body top itself up with liquids. These foods not only provide us with water, fibre, vitamins and minerals, but they are also sources of electrolytes.
In their most basic form, electrolytes (sodium and potassium) are just salts, which dictate how much water is pulled in and out of our cells to keep our bodies happy and functioning. Without a balance of electrolytes, no matter how much water you consume, you will remain dehydrated at a cellular level which means you will feel thirsty, have dry skin and hair, and start feeling bloated.
What we eat makes up about 20% of our overall intake of water throughout the day. So let’s get down into it; here are some foods to add or remove from your diet to help you become optimally hydrated and feed and nourish your body.
Foods that dehydrate:
Alcohol – this one probably doesn’t come as a surprise. Alcohol is high in sugar and is a diuretic which means you will be urinating much more frequently than usual, meaning you lose more liquid than we typically take in.
Coffee – like alcohol, coffee is a diuretic which means it will encourage your body to let go of more liquid than it usually would on its own. Yes, coffee can lead to dehydration, but if you are a coffee lover, just be sure to consume a glass or two of water after every cup of coffee.
Sodium - is a much-needed electrolyte; its responsibility is to pull water outside of your cells. The issues arise when you have too much sodium as it will begin to pull out too much water from your cells to dilute sodium levels meaning your cells are now depleted of much-needed H20.
Excessive amounts of sugar – when we consume products high in sugar, insulin is released to push sugar to work for our body. When we consume sugar in high quantities, the body also wants to try and dilute it. One of the best mechanisms for dilution is water, and unfortunately, that water often comes from our cells.
Foods to keep you hydrated:
Cucumbers – these guys are topping the list because they are primarily made of water and because they are loaded with vitamin C. So not only are you getting hydrated, but these delicious vegetables support your immune system and assist in reducing swelling.
Melons – like cucumbers, melons are about 90% water, plus they provide you with vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that will help protect you from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Bell peppers – of the three or four colours out there, your biggest bang for your buck are red, orange and yellow. Sure, the green ones are pretty okay, but they are the lowest in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folic acid.
Fruits – rich in fibre, vitamins, and water, fruits are essential to any diet. Although fruits do contain natural sugars, the fibre and water present helps dilute the impact on your blood sugar levels, plus it will help you feel full longer and assist you in forming healthy bowel movements.
Greens – in addition to fibre and water, greens are a great source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which both assist in nourishing your skin and your immune system.
The major takeaway here is that whole food contributes to you feeling fabulous and optimizing your hydration levels. They also provide your body with much-needed nutrients and vitamins to feel and look its best. So enjoy a glass of good wine or your morning cup of coffee. Just try to balance the rest of your days and weeks with healthy, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
Try having these additional items to your daily routines and notice that dry winter skin disappears in no time.
