Water constituents 70% of our body. Having a diet high in water content has many benefits like softer and supple skin, better circulation, assimilation, distribution of nutrients etc. So, what is the best way to get more water into our bodies? Drink ‘n’ glasses of water or have water in its natural form present in fruits and vegetables?

We’ve all heard the advice: drink x number of glasses or y litres of water a day. Stay hydrated! While some of us are able to adhere to this advice, others find it difficult. Do you know how much of our body weight is water? It’s around 70%. Our blood is around 90% water. But this water is not the same as the plain water you drink. In this context, Dr Howard Murad, Author of ‘The Water Secret’ says, “Healthy Hydration is about the water you hold in the body, not the water you drink that passes straight through.”

Healthy hydration comes through eating high water content foods - fruits and vegetables. It is important we sync ourselves with nature by adding these high water content foods to our family meals.Fruits and vegetables contain 80-90% water - water in its purest form - distilled in nature's laboratories in an organic form. Note that cooking destroys the natural water content in such foods.

Benefits of water rich foods

• When we eat water rich foods, our bodies assimilate the water content slowly. This water hydrates our cells much better than guzzling many glasses of water down. This is not just plain water, it is water which is part of the fruit.
• Eating your water through water rich foods promotes cellular health.
• Promote skin health.
• Supplement minerals & nutrients lost through sweating.
• Consumption of excessive plain water can dilute your blood and can lead to nutrients loss. So many times even water is unable to quench your thirst. Next time you are excessively thirsty, go for a fruit … and experience how you feel satiated.
• Maintains proper balance in the blood which in turn enables the blood to reach the cells for nutrient distribution.
• Intake of water rich veggies as salads or juices regulates our intake of cooked foods, salt and sugar, which dehydrate our body. Refined foods do the same to us.
• In the process, we are also ensuring we eat seasonal produce, which is at the peak of its nutritive value.

How to consume water rich fruits and veggies?

• Eat ample rounds of fruits in mornings (not one or 2 fruits but a good serving!). An all-fruits breakfast is a great way to start the day.
• Also eat fruits in evenings during snack time.
• Every time you feel thirsty, pick up a fruit.
• Have fruits as-is or as smoothies & juices.
• Add raw veggie salads to each meal.
• Consume more veg juices. Cucumber / lauki / carrot + tomatoes + pudina + lemon is not bad a combination!
• Steam your veggies and add your masalas … do more oil free cooking each week
• Add sprouts and nuts, dips and chutneys to each meal.
• While consuming your fruits & veggies, pick whole, local, seasonal & fresh.

In addition, add natural drinks to your routine – coconut water, nimboo paani, bel sharbat, etc.

If you do want to drink water, sip it slowly rather than gulping it down.

As your body gets more hydrated, you are likely to feel less thirsty, less warm & more energetic!! Try & see.

Recommended read –

1. Chapter 5 – The principle of high-water-content food; Book – Fit for Life; Author – Harvey & Marilyn Diamond
2. 10 hydrating foods and why you’ll want to eat your water - https://www.ceres.co.nz/blog/why-youll-want-to-eat-your-water-10-foods-to-hydrate-you/
3. Hydration Is Key To Happy, Healthy Cells - https://www.foodmatters.com/article/hydration-is-key-to-happy-healthy-cells