We all know that water is life. Our bodies are made up of two-thirds water, so it’s no wonder that we need it, we crave it and when we don’t have it, it shows! So if you’re trying to get a little bit more water in your daily routine without having to reach for a glass, just chomp on these foods, they’re literally packed with water!
Cucumber
Water content: 96.7%
This summer veggie has the highest water content of any solid food.
Iceberg lettuce
Water content: 95.6%
Crispy iceberg has the highest of any lettuce, followed by butterhead, green leaf, and romaine varieties.
Celery
Water content: 95.4%
Like all foods that are high in water, celery has very few calories—just 6 calories per stalk. And its one-two punch of fiber and water helps to fill you up and curb your appetite.
Radishes
Water content: 95.3%
They provide a burst of spicy-sweet flavor in a small package.
Tomatoes
Water content: 94.5%
There’s so many types of tomatoes to choose from. You’ll be sure to get your water in with these.
Green peppers
Water content: 93.9%
Bell peppers of all shades have a high water content, but green peppers lead the pack, just edging out the red and yellow varieties (which are about 92% water).
Cauliflower
Water content: 92.1%
Cauliflowers are packed with vitamins and phytonutrients that have been shown to help lower cholesterol and fight cancer, including breast cancer.
Watermelon
Water content: 91.5% water
Well, it is called “water”-melon for a reason. In fact, watermelon contains more lycopene than raw tomatoes—about 12 milligrams per wedge, versus 3 milligrams per medium-sized tomato.
Spinach
Water content: 91.4% water
Spinach is rich in lutein, potassium, fiber, and brain-boosting folate, and just one cup of raw leaves contains 15% of your daily intake of vitamin E.
Star fruit
Water content: 91.4% water
This tropical fruit, also known as carambola, comes in sweet and tart varieties and has a juicy texture similar to pineapple. But as a rule of caution, people with kidney disease should stay away from star fruit because of its high levels of oxalic acid.
Strawberries
Water content: 91.0%
All berries are good foods for hydration, but juicy red strawberries are easily the best of the bunch. Raspberries and blueberries both hover around 85% water, while blackberries are only slightly better at 88.2%.
Broccoli
Water content: 90.7%
Broccoli is the only cruciferous vegetable (a category that contains cabbage and kale, in addition to cauliflower) with a significant amount of sulforaphane, a potent compound that boosts the body’s protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals.
Grapefruit
Water content: 90.5%
In one study, people who ate one grapefruit a day lowered their bad (LDL) cholesterol by 15.5% and their triglycerides by 27%.
Baby Carrots
Water content: 90.4 percent
Baby Carrots are small and cute, but they pack a powerful punch. Just munch on a few of these and see how your body improves.