6 HEALTHY HYDRATING FOODS

Our bodies are made of 55-60% water and we need to replenish that water daily for good health. But do you know: You should not just be drinking water, you should be eating your water too.

Our body actually gets a good amount of hydration from the foods we eat. Consuming water through fruits and vegetables is a good way to replace fluid in your diet. And you get added health benefits from the antioxidants and many other disease-fighting compounds as well as fibre in them.

Here are 6 healthy hydrating foods:

> GRAPEFRUIT is a rich source of antioxidants like Vitamin C, which prevents free radicals that give rise to cancer; and lycopene, which is linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

> WATERMELON has heart-healthy vitamins and minerals (magnesium, potassium, and Vitamins A, B6, and C) as well as lycopene and citrulline, which may support heart health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

> TOMATOES are a good source of Vitamins C and K, potassium, and folate. Tomato also has lycopene, beta carotene (converted into Vitamin A in your body), naringenin in its skin (shown to decrease inflammation), and chlorogenic acid (a powerful antioxidant that may lower blood pressure).

> CELERY contains a flavonoid called luteolin, which may have anti-cancer properties. It also has a plant compound called apigenin, which plays a role in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant agent.

> BROCCOLI has sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which are beneficial against cancer. It also has carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta carotene) which may all contribute to better eye health. Broccoli also has the antioxidants kaempferol (that may protect against heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and allergies) and quercetin (that lowers blood pressure). And it is high in many vitamins and minerals, including folate, potassium, manganese, and Vitamins C and K1.

> BELL PEPPERS contain many healthy antioxidants, including capsanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, quercetin, and luteolin, all associated with many health benefits. Quercetin, for example, may be beneficial for preventing heart disease.