ArcaMax

In 1616, when Ben Johnson wrote "Drink to me only with thine eyes," you can bet he wasn't concerned with hydration -- just with getting drenched in love. These days, we're more likely to hear about how staying well-hydrated helps keep your heart health sweet and your sweetheart happy (hydration impacts hormones and boosts energy). But do you know that you don't have to drink all the liquid you need? You can get a lot of your hydration from foods -- if you choose the right ones.

A whole cucumber (about 8 inches long) contains a full cup of water. Zucchini is also 95% water -- and delivers around 4.5 ounces in a cup of chopped-up pieces. You get half a cup of water from a medium-sized tomato and more than 5 ounces in a cup of sliced strawberries. Celery, mushrooms, melons, pineapple, and even black beans are also good sources.

So how water much do you need? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that varies by age, sex, activity level, and pregnancy and breastfeeding status. But you never want to feel thirsty, and the National Academy of Medicine recommends more than 120 ounces daily for men and around 96 ounces for women. Falling short can trigger problems with metabolism, heart and muscle function and worsen symptoms of chronic diseases.

So, drink not only with thine water bottle (no added sugars!), drink from healthy, water-drenched foods. And check out iHerb.com' blogs on "How to Properly Hydrate for Optimal Athletic Performance" and "Do It Yourself Sports Electrolyte Drink."

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).

(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.