UK: Fruits and veggies can hydrate better than water

For much of our evolutionary past, almost everything we ate contained a high percentage of water. In 2009, researchers at the University of Aberdeen Medical School in Scotland found that some fruits and vegetables might hydrate our bodies twice as effectively as a glass of water. In fact, fruits, vegetables, eggs and raw animal protein are between 70% to 96% water. Another study from the University of Naples found that certain plant chemicals, like lutein and zeaxanthin, help increase hydration even more. “We have often noticed that personal hydration levels increase following consumption of fruits and vegetables,” say boomer generation health experts Dian Griesel, Ph.D., and Tom Griesel, authors of the new book TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (April 2011, BSH).

“We used to wonder why this would happen, since we have always encouraged drinking adequate quantities of pure water,” says Tom. “These studies confirmed our observations, and have made fruit and vegetable consumption a prime focus in the TurboCharged program.” As the Griesels note, fruits and vegetables contain hydrating salts, minerals and sugars, so they serve as both a meal and a drink. The Naples study found that they are more effective at hydrating than water or even isotonic sports drinks favored by athletes. “Watermelons are 92% water and 8% sugar, and contain essential salts like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium along with vitamin C, beta carotene and lycopene,” says Tom. “A cucumber is 96% water. Celery is also 96% water and contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc all in a natural and readily absorbable form.” The more similar a fluid is to our body’s composition, say the Griesels, the more readily and effectively it will be absorbed into our cells. This is what makes fruits, vegetables and even raw animal proteins like milk, eggs, fish and even meat so effective and beneficial.

Source: i-newswire.com