Ways to Stay Hydrated This Summer That Aren’t Drinking Water
We all know that it's essential to be hydrated.
According to Harvard, drinking water helps "regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly." It also improves your sleep and overall mood!
Yet, even though we know it's necessary, it's still so hard for some of us to drink enough water. The good news is that there are also other ways to rehydrate that don't include chugging H2O! Of course, we're not saying you should throw out your reusable water bottle for good, but it doesn't have to be your go-to hydration method if you don't like it. Check out these five surprising ways you can stay hydrated this summer.
(Iced) Tea
Drinking tea is a great way to stay hydrated iced tea is perfect for those hot summer days. All types of iced tea, including caffeinated teas, are a great alternative to water. You may have heard caffeine dehydrates you because it's a diuretic, but Healthline shares that caffeinated drinks are just as hydrating as water when consumed in moderation. If you don't like black or green tea or want to avoid caffeine, opt for herbal blends, which can taste just as delicious iced as they do hot.
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Fruits and Vegetables
You can eat your way to hydration with fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies contain a lot of water. For example, cucumbers are 96% water and peaches are 90% water. You will also get the added benefits of minerals and vitamins to nourish your body. Produce is especially good for providing electrolytes, which are essential for staying hydrated. Electrolytes including sodium, phosphate, potassium, and chloride help your body direct water to where it's most needed. High-electrolyte produce includes spinach, kale, broccoli, strawberries, oranges, watermelon, tomatoes and bananas.
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Smoothies and Juices
Smoothies and fruit juices are not only the perfect refreshing summer drinking, but they are also excellent for staying hydrated. Like eating fruits and vegetables, you will get added benefits of vitamins and minerals, but you can also add extra hydrating ingredients. For example, you can supplement more electrolytes by adding a pinch of pink Himalayan salt, nuts and seeds, coconut water, and yogurt. It also allows you to get more carbs in your body, which helps your body utilize water more efficiently.
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Staying Cool
One of the best ways to stay hydrated in the summer is to prevent dehydration. Mayo Clinic explains that "[dehydration] occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions." The reason why we quickly dehydrate in the summer is that we sweat more in the heat. You can stay cool by wearing hats, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes, finding shady areas and staying inside when there is a heat warning.
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Keep Your Skin Hydrated
You feel dehydration everywhere, including your skin. We often assume that itchy skin is due to dry skin, which lacks oil, but it can also be dehydrated skin caused by a lack of water. You should drink water to ensure you're hydrating from the inside, but you also need to hydrate the outside. Make sure you are using cleansers with hyaluronic acid and harsh chemicals in your routine. It's also vital that you wear sunscreen to protect your skin barrier.
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Looking for more ways to stay hydrated? Check out THESE tasty beverages that keep our bodies hydrated (and our tastebuds happy) this summer.