five foods to help with hydration when ill

Being unwell may cause a lack of appetite and therefore decreased water intake. Certain illnesses may also cause you to lose an abnormal amount of fluid, due to symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea.¹ It is important to maintain an adequate intake of fluids while ill in order to prevent dehydration. This can be achieved by drinking plenty of liquids and eating foods that contain a lot of water. Our top five foods to help with hydration are:

1. Watermelon

Watermelons contain Vitamin A, B6 and C, as well as lycopene, an antioxidant. Watermelon juice is made up of 92 percent water, which makes it an ideal fruit to eat when you are ill and at an increased risk of becoming dehydrated. It also contains potassium, which is essential for regulating water balance in the body.²

2. Soup

Soups contain a large amount of water and this can help prevent dehydration when ill. They also usually contain a lot of sodium, which can help to replenish sodium levels that may have been lost due to dehydration.³

3. Juicy vegetables

Vegetables contain water, vitamins and minerals which are all important to have when trying to prevent dehydration. Vegetables with the highest water content include broccoli, celery, cucumber, tomatoes and zucchini. If you prefer, you can add them to a juicer and enjoy a vegetable juice drink.⁴

4. Pears and oranges

Pears and oranges have a high water content and also contain sugars that will be converted by the body into energy. This energy boost will enhance your body’s ability to absorb the fluids you take in when you are sick.⁴

5. Cucumbers

Cucumbers contain a lot of potassium which is important for water balance as well as fiber, which helps maintain good digestion.⁵