It’s summer, and the heat is on. Along with the heat and the fun in the sun comes the risk of dehydration. Whether you are relaxing on the beach, hiking in the mountains, or biking around town, it’s vital to stay ahead on your fluid intact to avoid inadvertently becoming dehydrated.

Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, arrhythmias, and fainting. Prolonged dehydration can even cause organ damage. Yikes! Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize we are on the brink of dehydration until it’s too late, so that’s why it’s important to take in fluids even when you don’t feel thirsty. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to stay hydrated, besides drinking water.

There are a lot of fresh, tasty, and nutrition-packed food sources to help keep you healthy and hydrated during the summer heat. And a lot of them can be plucked right out of your own garden. Some of the surprising garden fresh foods include tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, celery (no surprise there), cauliflower, and zucchini. I was exceptionally happy about that last one, because my zucchini is already growing in abundance.

But what makes me even happier is the long list of summer fruits, which I consider nature’s candy. Watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, and peaches have incredibly high water content as well as multiple health benefits. So, you might want to consider adding these tasty treats along with the nutritionally dense vegetables to your summer meals, snacks, and salads  can help you stay healthy and hydrated, not only during the summer heat but in the dark days of winter as well. Stay hydrated, my friends!

Originally Published on https://www.cherylilov.com/blog/

Chery lIlov PT, GCFP

Cheryl Ilov is an author, speaker, dancer, martial artist, and physical therapist. She is also a former chronic pain patient who began a journey of self-discovery and self-healing after her medical team informed her that she would never recover. They were wrong.

Cheryl fired her medical team and found her own path to health and healing, as well as a journey of life-long learning. Her areas of expertise include the art of healing through movement, personal empowerment, and fitness over fifty. She is also the host of The FemiNinja Project podcast, which focuses on overcoming obstacles, personal empowerment, restoring human dignity, and alternative health and healing.