When the body loses water, its mineral balance is upset and many of its functions are disrupted. Many people do not drink enough water, and drinking too little can lead to dehydration. Some foods help make up the body's water deficit, and if you do not drink water properly, these are the foods to choose.

• Eat plenty of vegetables: eating enough vegetables every day can supply your body with more than about three cups of water. Vegetables such as cucumber and lettuce contain up to about 96 per cent water, while cauliflower and spinach contain about 92 per cent.
• Fruit: many kinds of fruit can also meet much of the body's water needs. Tomatoes contain 94 per cent water, strawberries and watermelon up to 92 per cent, and pineapple and oranges up to 87 per cent.

• Cold coffee: coffee contains caffeine and is made with water, so it can help keep the body hydrated. But Brigitte Zeitlin, a New York-based registered dietitian and founder of a nutrition practice, says too much caffeine can cause headaches, jitters and insomnia, so it is best not to have more than one or two cups a day.
• Chicken soup: most soups contain broth and salt, which help the body retain water and fight dehydration. Adding vegetables such as tomatoes or radish supplies still more water, and chicken also provides protein.
• Green coconut water: the water of a green coconut can be very helpful in keeping the body hydrated. It is high in potassium and low in sodium and carbohydrates, which makes it very good for the body. You can drink it after exercise to recharge and rehydrate.

Source: Amader Shomoy. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.