Healthy foods to keep yourself hydrated

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Water makes up 60 percent of your body. Without enough of it, dehydration can set in, causing dry mouth, fatigue and headaches. In addition to drinking plenty of water, there are foods that can help you stay hydrated.

As temperatures rise this week, experts warn us how easy it is for our bodies to lose water.

The old rule of thumb tells us you need at least eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, and more if you're working out.

"You should be drinking 8 to 10 ounces every 10 to 15 minutes while you're exercising," said Dr. Manuel Momjian, Glendale Memorial Hospital.

A loss of 1 or 2 percent of your body weight would be a strong indication of dehydration.

"When you lose volume, what happens is your heart has to work harder to make sure all the blood gets pumped to your entire body," said Momjian.

Also, children are more likely to get dehydrated because they have higher body temperatures. But Dr. Momjian discourages parents from using sugary drinks as a way to get more fluids into your kids. Most experts agree in most instances sports drinks just aren't necessary.

"You should probably just use plain old water," said Momjian.

But the good news is you don't have to drink all that water, you can eat some of it too. Try cucumber. It's nearly 97-percent water, the highest water content of any solid food. Slice it up in salads or put it in soups and sandwiches.

Celery is another good option. It not only hydrates, it also neutralizes stomach acid, relieving heartburn and acid reflux. Its water content is 95.4 percent.

Try putting radishes in your summer coleslaw and salads too. They're 95.3-percent water and provide a burst of spicy, sweet flavor.

And tomatoes contain 94.5-percent water. Try different varieties too, like sweet cherry or grape tomatoes. Skewer them on a toothpick with basil leaves and chunks of mozzarella for a quick appetizer.

Watermelon and cauliflower are also good sources of water. They're made up of 91.5 and 92 percent water, respectively.

Plus studies show foods like cauliflower have another benefit: they contain compounds that help fight cancer.