Sipping a glass of water would be an ideal way to keep the levels in check, but it can get monotonous and for that sole reason we might avoid doing it. Having some alternatives which are both tasty and add some flavour as compared to routine plain water and healthy could be the best option.

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The concept of hydration is often misunderstood as we assume it means that one drinks some water or you sim some juice when you thirsty just to quench the thirst for that moment. But hydration of the body has a lot to do with the overall energy levels of the body and how active you feel throughout the day.

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Here are five ways you can ditch that glass of water sometimes and yet manage to stay hydrated.

Chia seeds water

Chia seeds are considered extremely healthy from a nutrition perspective and the best way to have them is to soak a teaspoon of them for a few minutes in water.

Chia seeds can soak up to 10 times water as compared to their actual weight and they swell up within minutes. These can then be added to plain water or a dash of honey can some more flavour to the same.

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Fruit-infused water

There is a misconception that fruit juices can be a great alternative to water for hydration but they can rather be harmful in ways, where they have more amount of saturated sugar content, as the amount of sugar consumed in two slices of watermelon can be much less than have a glass of watermelon juice which might require may be more than half of the fruit!

But fruits other than just sugar also have their natural water content but soaking them in water can dilute the sugar content and having the infused water can add up to all those health benefits of the fruits also the infused water can fill up for missing hydration levels. Fruits like oranges, sweet limes, strawberries, or blueberries can notch up the tasty due to their fresh and tangy flavour.

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Herbal teas

When we think of options for drinks that can keep us hydrated, the first thought that would come to our mind is something that is cold and refreshing. But in the winter, having something cold is not always a preferred choice. In this case, herbal teas can be a great alternative to staying hydrated even in winter. Caffeine-free options like Chamomile tea, Jasmine tea, Rose, or Hibiscus tea can be some refreshing options.

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Vegetable juice

Cucumber juice for example has 90% of water and this can be the best alternative to any other juice or simply water. Beetroot juice is also great for hydration and it can also act as a great blood purifier.

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Coconut water

It is rich in potassium and is considered a better hydrating option than plain water. It is low in calories and extremely hydrating which can make it a great alternative to packaged energy drinks.

Replace coconut water with your mid-morning meal or just by adding a glass after your workout. This will help the energy levels to stay notched up throughout the day.

Coconut water can also help you prevent kidney stones which are aggravated because of less water intake at times.

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Drinks that can make you dehydrated

Hydration? As a matter of fact, these drinks could dehydrate you! Avoid these if you are planning to reach your daily hydration goals;

• Coffee
• Sugar-loaded smoothies
• Canned fruits juices
• Soda
• Beer/Wine
• Hot Cocoa
• Energy drinks

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

About the author of this article: Dr Ridima Surve is a dentist, medical writer, editor and reviewer from Mumbai.