Drinking enough water everyday is super important, it not only keeps your body healthy but your skin too. Those who drink 2-3 litres of water everyday are known to have fewer skin problems. It keeps your skin plump, hydrated and clear by removing harmful toxins from the body. So, if you are currently dealing with acne or dull and dehydrated skin, you should increase your water intake. Apart from using good skincare products, you also need to hydrate your body to make your skin healthy from within. If you often forget to drink water or cannot drink plain water, you can add water-rich foods in your diet to stay hydrated. There are plenty of water-rich foods and consuming them everyday can be quite beneficial for your skin and health, especially during summer, when the body sweats a lot. It helps keep your eyes, nose and mouth tissues moist, thereby keeping them healthy. It also lubricates joints and regulates body temperature, all of these are essential for the healthy functioning of the body. If you drink less water or consume little to no water, your body can get dehydrated and this results in fatigue, acne, dull skin, dark coloured urine and sunken eyes and cheeks. Apart from drinking water, you can include water-rich foods in your diet to keep your body hydrated, here's how.
01Water rich fruits and vegetables
Want to know which fruits and vegetables contain high water content? Below we have explained in detail the benefits of each water-rich food. Scroll down to learn all about it and ways to add them to your diet.
02Cucumber
Cucumber is one vegetable that contains the highest amount of water content. Adding it to your diet will hydrate your body from the inside and keep you feeling fresh. Cucumbers contain 95% of water, there's no doubt then, that eating one will definitely make you cool as a cucumber! Loaded with potassium and anti-inflammatory properties, this water-rich food can help prevent strokes and improve brain health. Pro tip: Snack on cucumber sticks with some salt and pepper, add them to your sandwiches or blend cucumber and mint to make a refreshing drink. There are plenty of ways to hydrate yourself with this water-rich food.
03Watermelon
The juicy fruit has water in its name! Watermelon is the fruit with the highest level of water content. It contains 92% of water and is one of the best ways to stay hydrated in summers. It also contains other nutrients like vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as lycopene and antioxidants. **Pro tip: **Add watermelon cubes to your salad or puree it to make popsicles. You can also eat a bowl of sliced watermelon as a snack to aid in digestion and ease bloating. Adding this water-rich food to your diet will not only keep you hydrated, but improve your digestion too.
04Lettuce
Crunchy iceberg lettuce is loaded with vitamins A and K, along with potassium and zinc. But that's not the reason why we are mentioning it in the water-rich foods list. The water content of this leafy vegetable is as high as 95%. It surely is one of the easiest ways to hydrate your body. Pro tip: Did you know soaking lettuce in ice cold water can make them crunchy and fresh again? Add it to your salads or place two leaves in your breakfast sandwich, there are plenty of ways to incorporate this water-rich food in your diet.
05Spinach
Spinach is one of the healthiest leafy vegetables, apart from high levels of iron, this vegetable is also water-rich. It is made up of around 91% water and is considered extremely beneficial for hydration. The presence of calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and K further make it a vegetable that you must have regularly. Pro tip: Overcooking spinach may not be a good idea as it tends to lose its essential nutrients. So, you may love making palak paneer regularly, but you may be missing out on all the benefits. Try using it as a base in salads or adding it to your breakfast smoothie along with a sweet fruit.
06Tomatoes
Did you know tomatoes are made up of about 95% water? The lycopene-rich vegetable not only helps maintain a healthy immune system but is also great for your skin and eyes. Tomatoes are a staple in Indian cuisine, so you may already be eating this water-rich food in plenty of different ways. Pro tip: Both cherry and big tomatoes are water-rich, add them to your salads, sandwiches or pasta sauce, the options are endless.
07Mushroom
With 92% of water content, mushrooms are another water-rich food that you must eat regularly. There are plenty of other benefits of eating mushrooms like - it is a great source of vitamin B2. This vegetable makes you feel energetic by reducing the feeling of tiredness. It is also beneficial for your skin and nervous system. Pro tip: Add chopped mushrooms to your stews or grind it into a thick paste to make a creamy soup. Tossing it in oil, garlic and pepper along with tomatoes is also a great way to enjoy this water-rich food.
08Apple
An apple a day not only keeps the doctor away, but it also hydrates your body. Apples are made up of 86% water! Adding this delicious fruit to your daily diet will provide your body with loads of vitamins and antioxidants, both are essential for a healthy body and skin. **Pro tip: **If you find eating apples alone boring, cut it into thin slices and enjoy as a snack by dipping it into nut butter. You can also make cinnamon sprinkled apples in the morning, just make sure you don't overcook it.
09Zucchini
Did you know one cup of zucchini contains as much as 90% of water? But that's not all, this fibre-rich vegetable also keeps you full thereby helping in weight loss. The presence of antioxidants, manganese, potassium and vitamins A and K further make this water-rich food a must-have in your diet. Pro tip: Chop and add it to your soup to make it more nutritious or cut thin slices and roll them up with paneer or a sour cream filling. If you want to cut back on refined flour, 'zoodles' or zucchini noodles is a popular option.
10Broccoli
We all know how healthy **broccoli **is, but not many people are a fan of this cruciferous vegetable. Apart from providing your body with vitamins A, K, iron, calcium and folic acid, this green vegetable is made up of 90% water. Adding this nutritious and water-rich food to your diet can be quite beneficial. **Pro tip: **Don't like the bland taste of broccoli? You're not alone! Roast it with walnuts and sesame oil to enhance the taste or grind it to make broccoli and cheddar soup. There are plenty of ways to make this vegetable delicious for all age groups.
11Oranges
If Orange Juice is a part of your morning breakfast, then here's another reason why you should continue drinking it: oranges contain more than 86% water. No matter which type of oranges you prefer, they will hydrate your body as well as provide it with vitamin C. The vitamin is an antioxidant that keeps your body healthy. Pro tip: If you are looking for different ways to incorporate this water-rich food in your diet, you can add orange segments to your salad or smoothie bowl to get all the benefits along with a delicious meal.
