Eat Your Hydration

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
Jul 23rd 2009 12:00PM

Photo: kurisurokku, Flickr

You've just finished a tough workout. You're hot and sweaty so you reach for ... celery? It's long been known that water-rich fruits and vegetables can contribute to your hydration needs. But recent research shows that beyond contributing to hydration, some fruits and vegetables may hydrate your body twice as effectively as a glass of water.

Water is cool, refreshing and calorie-free, but certain types of produce have a leg up on H2O. Why? Because they provide nutrients like mineral salts, amino acids and vitamins as well as hydration.

When exercising, your body can lose electrolytes through sweat. Replenishing lost electrolytes is the whole premise behind sports drinks. But certain fresh fruits and veggies can replenish your body, too -- without all the artificial colors and flavors.

Some top picks for hydrating foods:

Watermelon. Rich in vitamin C, beta carotene and lycopene, the appropriately named watermelon is about 92 percent water.
Cucumber. Cucumbers deliver a high water content as well as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Celery. Crunchy celery is actually 96 percent water. It also provides sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.

But don't ditch your water bottle just yet. It's great to incorporate healthful hydrating foods into your diet -- especially during the warmer months. But a good, old-fashioned glass of water has its place, too. And, let's face it, while a stalk of celery might be more effective for hydration, it just doesn't taste as refreshing as an icy cold glass of water.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Boris 7-23-2009 @ 11:22PM

Dear Ms. Vink;

Thank you for your valuable information on hydration through fruits and vegetables.

Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, author of numerous books including “The Magnesium Miracle” and Medical Director of the non-profit Nutritional Magnesium Association http://www.nutritionalmagnesium.org has this additional information to share that I thought you and your readers may find useful.

Magnesium as one of the key electrolytes is an excellent example of an energy nutrient, since it activates enzymes that control digestion, absorption, and the utilization of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Because magnesium is involved with hundreds of enzymatic reactions throughout the body, deﬁciency can affect every aspect of life and cause a score of unhealthy symptoms.

Of the 325 magnesium-dependent enzymes, the most important enzyme reaction involves the creation of energy by activating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fundamental energy storage molecule of the body. ATP may be what the Chinese refer to as "qi" or "life force". Magnesium is required for the body to produce and store energy. Without magnesium there is no energy, no movement, no life. When you lose it through sweat and physical stress and exercise you need to make sure you replenish it. Magnesium comes in many forms, one of the most absorbable is in the form of a powdered magnesium citrate which can be dissolved in water.

For more information contact The Nutritional Magnesium Association http://www.nutritionalmagnesium.org