스크랩 Stay Hydrated to Keep Your Body Running Smoothly

[blueSpirit]

The human body, which is made up of 60 to 70 percent water (lean people have more water in their bodies because muscle holds more water than fat), is in need of constant water replenishment. Stay hydrated to keep your body running smoothly.

Healthy Lifestyle Tip:

6 Ways to Make Water Less Boring

We hear you. Water isn't the most exciting drink in the world, but it's probably the healthiest. Drinking water regulates body temperature, flushes out toxins, aids in digestion, and balances blood sugar, to name a few of its benefits. And water is especially healthy when consumed in lieu of sugary drinks like soda, whose health risks are increasingly well-documented. Here's how to make meeting your daily water dose more of a treat than a chore.

Eat a Salad

A good 20 percent of our water intake comes from food, according to statistics from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Lots of foods contain varying amounts of water, but fruits and vegetables have the highest percentages. Iceberg lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers, celery, red cabbage, radishes, broccoli, and tomatoes are all more than 90 percent water so stack up a big, healthy, water-filled plate the next time you don't feel like a glass of water. Fruits like watermelon and strawberries are also jam-packed with the liquid.

Water Down Juice

Give your regular glass of water an extra shot of flavor with a few drops of your favorite juice (the natural kind, with no sugar added). Cranberry, pomegranate, grape, and apple work well for this trick, but go with your taste buds.

Switch Your Appetizer

Can't squeeze in another glass of water? Have it for dinner by eating soup. Water-based bouillons, broths, and consomm?s are a great way to sneak in extra H2O. If you go the canned route, make sure to buy low-sodium and avoid soups that contain cream, which adds extra fat and calories.

Get Creative with Ice

Make your water extra "cool" by adding flavor to your ice cube tray. Add things like mint, cucumber, or fresh fruit to your usual tray then plunk these funky cubes into your water glass.

Sip Tea

Drinking tea ? which is essentially water infused with leaves and herbs ? is a great way to increase your intake without feeling like you're guzzling more plain, old water.

Add Fresh Fruit

Natural, fruit-infused water is trendy these days. Make your own at home by smashing raspberries, strawberries, or watermelon right into a pitcher. Cucumber is refreshing, too. Prefer a citrusy taste? Go for lemons, limes, and oranges.

www.everydayhealth.com