12 Nov Fruits and vegetables big key to staying hydrated

Staying properly hydrated is important for all of us, but especially serious athletes and even recreational fitness enthusiasts.
Everyone knows drinking water or sports drinks is a great way to stay hydrated.
It’s crucial to consume the right amount of water before, during and after exercising. Water helps control body temperature, lubricate joints and deliver nutrients for energy and health. It can even give your skin a youthful glow.
But did you know that serious athletes also use fruits and vegetables to stay properly hydrated?
Fruits and vegetables are made up of nearly 90 percent water.
And unlike when a person drinks a glass of water and it quickly leaves the stomach and gets into the blood stream, fruits and vegetables deliver time-released hydration.
So, it’s important to get your fluids from both water AND food.
Here are four foods that can provide excellent hydration:
1. Citrus fruit – Fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
2. Cucumber – It’s primarily water and great on a salad or sliced by itself. A good anti-inflammatory food.
3. Watermelon – Tasty, fun and almost all-water. Also loaded with nutrients.
4. Coconut – Water from inside fresh coconuts is a staple for hydration in many countries and very tasty. It’s natures sports drink.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com