04 May Fruits and vegetables important part of proper hydration

With the mercury rising, it’s more important then ever to stay hydrated.
It’s important for all of us, but especially serious athletes and even recreational fitness enthusiasts.
Water helps control body temperature, lubricate joints and deliver nutrients for energy and health. It can even give your skin a youthful glow.
If you are not adequately hydrated, your body will not be able to function at its highest level. You could experience fatigue, muscle cramps, dizziness, or more serious problems.
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.
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. Cucumber – It’s primarily water and great on a salad or sliced by itself. A good anti-inflammatory food.
2. Citrus fruit – Fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
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