Dehydration is a dangerous consequence of hot summer days you can avoid using these seven refreshing ways to hydrate.
July 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn’t looked back.
Your body needs water to complete all essential functions, from walking to digestion to thought. If you’re using more water than you take in, you won’t be able to cool down in the summer heat. An extremely hot summer is dangerous because of the increased possibility of dehydration.
You may have heard the old idiom, “if you’re thirsty, then you’re already dehydrated.” But the signs of dehydration range more widely than thirst. If you’re dizzy, lightheaded, tired, or urinating very little, or it’s dark yellow – you’re probably dehydrated. Exercising outside, spending too much time in the sun, and having a poor diet are all factors that increase your potential of becoming dehydrated.
Ideally, you should start hydrating before noticing the signs and symptoms of dehydration. Keep reading for seven refreshing ways to hydrate on hot summer days.
7 Refreshing Ways to Hydrate
Learning to hydrate is a habit you can carry throughout your life. Make these hydration habits part of your daily routine to improve your health and wellness.
1. Eat Plenty of Fruit
Fruit is one of the most naturally hydrating foods. However, some fruits contain a higher percentage of water than others, including watermelons (90%), peaches (89%), cantaloupe (905), tomatoes (94%), and bananas (75%).
Fruit also contains gel water, a form of water represented by the formula H3O2. This is because the electrolytes in fruits (and vegetables) release an electrical charge for deeper hydration. They also contain plenty of fiber which helps the body absorb gel water.
Next time you head to the beach or on a picnic, pack a homemade fruit salad full of all your favorite hydrating fruits for a tasty way to stay hydrated!
Fruit also contains gel water, a form of water represented by the formula H3O2. This is because the electrolytes in fruits (and vegetables) release an electrical charge for deeper hydration. They also contain plenty of fiber which helps the body absorb gel water.
Next time you head to the beach or on a picnic, pack a homemade fruit salad full of all your favorite hydrating fruits for a tasty way to stay hydrated!
2. Make Green Juices
Drinking vegetables is one of the easiest ways to get a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals. Some vegetables with a high percentage of water include cucumbers (96%), celery (95%), asparagus (93%), spinach (91%), and carrots (88%).
The vegetables that go into a green juice also contain gel water to help you hydrate faster. The electrolytes direct water and nutrients throughout the body to maintain fluid balance in the cells.
Make a green juice for breakfast on those extra hot days for some much-needed hydration support before you go out in the sun!
3. Eat Oatmeal for Breakfast
Oats absorb the water or milk used to make them, meaning oatmeal is one of the most hydrating breakfasts. Combine oatmeal with fruit, and you will have a hydrating start to your day. Oats are also remarkably hydrating for your skin when applied topically, which is why they’re added to many lotions, creams, shampoos, and soaps.
Without water, your digestive system slows down and may stop altogether, resulting in constipation, bloating, and discomfort. The water and high fiber content of oats aid digestion by regulating the water content in your stool, keeping everything smooth and painless.
Without water, your digestive system slows down and may stop altogether, resulting in constipation, bloating, and discomfort. The water and high fiber content of oats aid digestion by regulating the water content in your stool, keeping everything smooth and painless.
4. Add Citrus to Water
The health benefits of lemon water have been under hot debate. Many say that drinking lemon water before a meal can aid in weight loss. However, the studies supporting those claims may only be successful because water makes you feel full and burn more calories.
Lemon water improves plain water’s flavor, making drinking eight glasses of water per day easier and more enjoyable.
In addition to helping you hydrate, citrus in your water provides the body with a healthy dose of water-soluble vitamin C. This essential vitamin has antioxidant properties to protect cells from harmful free radicals and aids in other bodily functions.
Lemon water improves plain water’s flavor, making drinking eight glasses of water per day easier and more enjoyable.
In addition to helping you hydrate, citrus in your water provides the body with a healthy dose of water-soluble vitamin C. This essential vitamin has antioxidant properties to protect cells from harmful free radicals and aids in other bodily functions.
5. Zucchini Noodles
The carbohydrates found in pasta, rice, potatoes, and pastries require a lot of water to digest. For every gram of carbohydrates you eat, three or four grams of water are needed to digest it. Therefore, whenever you eat a high carbohydrate meal, you should follow it by drinking plenty of water.
Zucchini has a high gel water content to help you hydrate, alongside other essential vitamins and minerals. It can be made into noodles or baked into pastries in the place of starches or grains. Switching from grains to vegetables is also a great way to cut calories if you’re trying to lose weight. Some studies also show that vitamin B6 abundant in zucchini may help regulate blood glucose.
Zucchini has a high gel water content to help you hydrate, alongside other essential vitamins and minerals. It can be made into noodles or baked into pastries in the place of starches or grains. Switching from grains to vegetables is also a great way to cut calories if you’re trying to lose weight. Some studies also show that vitamin B6 abundant in zucchini may help regulate blood glucose.
6. Drink Broth or Soup
Chilled broth or cold soups like gazpacho are refreshing ways to hydrate in the summertime. Soup may seem more appropriate in the depths of winter, but broths contain many vitamins and minerals that keep the body healthy.
In particular, bone broth is a popular health food trend. Chicken bone broth is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body that can ease the symptoms of common diseases like arthritis and diabetes.
Chilled soups are typically made from blended raw vegetables. They’re high in fiber, low in calories, and hydrate you as they make you feel full. If you do not like chilled soups, some people believe that eating hot soups in the summer may help cool you down. Either way, soup is an easy way to stay hydrated.
In particular, bone broth is a popular health food trend. Chicken bone broth is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body that can ease the symptoms of common diseases like arthritis and diabetes.
Chilled soups are typically made from blended raw vegetables. They’re high in fiber, low in calories, and hydrate you as they make you feel full. If you do not like chilled soups, some people believe that eating hot soups in the summer may help cool you down. Either way, soup is an easy way to stay hydrated.
7. Iced Coffee and Tea
Despite claims that caffeinated beverages dehydrate you because of their mild diuretic effect, coffee and tea add more water to the body than they take away. Iced coffee has many benefits, including boosting energy levels, supporting brain health, and increasing longevity.
Iced green tea is another refreshing option for keeping cool in the summer. Green tea is a well-recognized superfood because of its many health benefits, from helping people lose weight to improving heart health.
Like soup, you can drink coffee hot or cold in the summertime and still get the same hydration benefits. However, iced coffee or tea might be better when you feel overheated on scorching days.
Iced green tea is another refreshing option for keeping cool in the summer. Green tea is a well-recognized superfood because of its many health benefits, from helping people lose weight to improving heart health.
Like soup, you can drink coffee hot or cold in the summertime and still get the same hydration benefits. However, iced coffee or tea might be better when you feel overheated on scorching days.
Remember to Drink Water
The human body is approximately 60% water and needs a constant supply to function optimally. These seven ways to hydrate will help you beat the heat while enjoying some truly delicious food and drink. You should also consume these alternatives in addition to plenty of plain water to prevent dehydration and stay healthy all summer long.
Also, remember to take care of yourself so you can enjoy the warm weather this summer! If you’re dealing with chronic pain, remember to apply your Kailo Pain Patch near the site of pain to get back to your day. Kailo is theorized to work by interfering with your body’s electrical system, and a recent clinical study showed that 98% of patients find Kailo “easy to apply” and “convenient.”
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
Also, remember to take care of yourself so you can enjoy the warm weather this summer! If you’re dealing with chronic pain, remember to apply your Kailo Pain Patch near the site of pain to get back to your day. Kailo is theorized to work by interfering with your body’s electrical system, and a recent clinical study showed that 98% of patients find Kailo “easy to apply” and “convenient.”
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
