I guess that we all grew up with the mistaken medical advice that we need to drink 8 glasses of water every day to remain healthy. It is mistaken because apparently the initial report and advice was somewhat misinterpreted, but this does not negate the fact that our bodies are 70% water and we DO need to remain hydrated to function optimally.
Where the concept is flawed however, is the fact that although we need to ensure that we partake of sufficient fluids, it need not only come from drinking water. Although tea and coffee are diuretics, meaning they make us urinate more which could cause dehydration if fluids are not replaced, they can also form part of our daily fluid intake.
There are also many foods that we do or can eat that contain a huge amount of fluids that can make up the amount that one needs for the body to function optimally. Drinking water is still part of a good health regime, but it is not the be all and end all of good health.
If you do drink water, however, drinking water from a water cooler, especially if it is spring water or filtered water, is highly recommended.
Foods That Help You to Remain Hydrated
Yes, it is possible to eat your water instead of drinking it, which is a problem to many as they hate the taste of water, especially tap water. Tap water often tastes of chemicals, and the fluoride in most tap water puts many people off of drinking it.
Approximately 20% of our recommended daily allowance (RDA) of water can come from food:
- Cucumber – contains 96.7% water content. Serve it in salads, on a sandwich, or make a chilled cucumber soup in the hot summer months.
- Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce, with a water content of 95.6%, has the highest amount of water. Other lettuces likebutterhead, green leaf, and romaine lettuce have also got a lot of water content. Use on sandwiches or in a healthy summer salad and you will have to drink less water, although both taste great accompanied by a nice glass of cool spring water.
- Celery – It does not quite live up to the myth of having negative calories, but celery does contain 95.4% water as well as loads of fibre. It also contains vitamins A, C, & K, as well as folate, which is essential for cell growth and reproduction. It neutralises stomach acid and is a natural remedy for acid reflux and heartburn.
- Radishes – Crunchy, flavourful and colourful, thesespicy-sweet tiny veggies are great in salads, or just to nibble as is. They are healthy too, as they are full of antioxidants such as catechin, a tannic acid which is also found in green tea.
- Cantaloupes – Also known as sweet melon or musk melon, this fruit contains 90.2% water, the total vitamin A & C RDA and minimal calories. Eat it as is, with ice cream, with other fruits, puree it, blend it with yoghurt or make a soup.
- Grapefruit – Tangy, juicy, and capable of lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) by 15% and recommended to help dieters lose weight, this fruit contains 90.5% water.
- Watermelon – The name says it all. With 91.5% water content, this refreshing summer fruit is very healthy. It is also among the top sources of the cancer-fighting antioxidant, lycopene.
Other veggies that can take the place of much of the drinking water that you miss out on are tomatoes, green peppers, cauliflower, spinach, star fruit, strawberries, broccoli, and baby carrots.
If you are not fortunate to have access to an office water cooler or a home water cooler that provides you with excellent quality, fresh, cool, refreshing spring water or filtered mains water, then make sure you eat your fruit and veggies – Mom was right!
Remember though, fruit and veg can only supply around 20% of the water you need daily, so investing in a home water cooler or an office water cooler is still one of the best things you can do for your health!
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