Doctors Say These Juicy Foods May Hydrate You Better Than Water Alone This Summer

Summer heat has a way of making plain water feel like a full time job. Chugging bottle after bottle gets old fast, and it turns out liquids are not the only way to keep your body properly hydrated.

A surprising amount of daily hydration can actually come from what is on your plate, especially once temperatures climb into the nineties. Certain fruits and vegetables are so packed with water that eating them works almost like a bonus glass in disguise.

Registered dietitian Cristina Famulare says hot weather naturally raises how much fluid the body needs, and food plays a real part in meeting it. “Hot weather as well as vigorous exercise can also increase your hydration needs,” she told Sharp HealthCare.

Watermelon

Watermelon is more than 90 percent water, making it one of the easiest ways to snack your way toward better hydration on a scorching afternoon. It also delivers a solid dose of vitamin C and antioxidants, and it tastes best served icy cold straight from the fridge.

Cucumber

Cucumbers hold the highest water content of any solid food, hovering around 95 percent, which makes them nearly as hydrating as drinking a glass of water outright. Toss them into a salad or eat them plain with a little salt for an easy afternoon cooldown.

Strawberries

Strawberries clock in around 91 percent water and pack in plenty of vitamin C along with fiber and antioxidants. A cold bowl works as a refreshing snack on its own or an easy addition to breakfast on the hottest days of summer.

Oranges

Oranges run close to 80 percent water, and a single orange can hold nearly half a cup of water all on its own. The fiber and vitamin C inside make them a filling, refreshing choice for anyone spending the day outdoors.

Celery

Celery is famously watery, and its crunch makes it satisfying even on days when nothing else sounds appealing in the heat. It also brings fiber and key nutrients to the table, all for very few calories.

None of this means the water bottle should get skipped entirely, hydration still mostly comes down to what you drink. But loading your plate with foods like these gives your body a real head start, and it makes beating the heat taste a lot better than another glass of plain water.

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