Yogurt. Start hydrating at breakfast with a serving of plain yogurt which, surprisingly, is around 85% to 88% water. The fuller-fat varieties are the best option, full of potassium and sodium that can replenish electrolytes when your body's in need.
Foods that hydrate you
Foods that typically provide the highest water content are raw fruits and vegetables. Eating a diet heavy in produce is a good way to give the body vitamins, minerals and fiber while increasing your daily water intake.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
That's right, clocking in at more than 94% water content, tomatoes are officially the most hydrating fruit you can put into your body, which works out great in the summertime, as tomatoes end up in salads, atop burgers, and even eaten fresh with a drizzle of olive oil.
Not only is it hearty and filling, oatmeal is also very hydrating. When oats are cooking, they expand and absorb the water or milk they're being paired with. Not into warm breakfasts when it's hot out? Try overnight oats.
Fruits and vegetables can help with hydration [a banana is 74% water!] and provide healthful nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. So for elite athletes – or those just trying to stay fit – a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, including bananas, is important for performing at your best!
Cucumbers
Hydrate and replenish your skin with fresh cucumbers. In addition to containing 95% water, cucumbers are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that help remove waste from the body and reduce skin irritation. Preliminary research also suggests cucumbers promote anti-wrinkling and anti-aging activity.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.
Spinach, 93% water
Spinach is made up of around 93% water, and is good for hydration. Spinach is also a good source of iron.
1. Drinking water first thing in the morning immediately helps rehydrate the body. Your six to eight hours of sleep is a long period to go without any water consumption. Drinking two or three glasses of water right when you wake up is a good way to rehydrate your body quickly.
Aim for 16 ounces (2 cups) of water at about two hours before you run. Pair this with a snack or meal. About 15 minutes before a run, drink six to eight ounces of water. During a run longer than 1 hour, drink water at regular intervals.
But you might think boiling an egg would ruin it's hydrating potential, right? The fact is, that 75 percent water content remains and combines with high protein levels and a bounty of essential nutrients to make boiled eggs another hydrating addition to a salad.
The more processed foods you eat—such as ice cream, mass-produced breads, cookies, and most breakfast cereals—the more likely you are to be dehydrated, since these foods tend to have very low water content.
Dr MS Krishnamurthy, clarifies that you should not drink water (especially cold water) after eating bananas as it can cause severe indigestion. According to him, drinking water after eating bananas makes it hard to digest because of the inherent properties of the fruit which are similar to that of cold water.
Research suggests that eating oats may reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering your cholesterol levels ( 9 , 10 , 11 ). Eating oats may also lower blood sugar levels, especially in people with type 2 diabetes ( 12 ).
Drink an ORS Before Bed
Instead of drinking a glass of water, drink an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop ORS, which also contains electrolytes that are essential for hydration. Try to drink the ORS an hour or two before bed so you don't wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
Fruit or Veggie Juice
Juices made from fruits or vegetables have a water content of 85 percent plus. Vegetable juice is even healthier than fruit because it contains less sugar. Some of the best juices to drink are orange, lemon, tart cherry, and beet. Just make sure that you choose 100 percent juice.
"Milk is good for hydration, but water is a better option purely for hydration," Dr. Casaubon says, adding that water is typically the smarter option for those with diabetes, or whose doctor has prescribed a lower caloric intake, since milk can be high in calories and carbohydrates.
Pedialyte is an OTC rehydration drink for both children and adults. It's one of the most effective and safest treatments available for mild to moderate dehydration. Because it contains electrolytes, it's more effective than drinking only water if you've lost a lot of fluids.