A cleansing diet is what some people like to follow when it’s swimsuit season or before attending a special event. And even though these types of diets are often liquid-rich, we still need to ensure we are keeping our bodies safe and healthy, so here are some good tips to staying that way.

It’s hot here in the desert again, but imagine how dry that heat makes your body. Make sure you’re drinking enough water and staying hydrated, especially if you’re on a cleansing diet. A good guideline is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water (if you weigh 150 pounds, drink a minimum of 75 ounces of water each day).

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of many health issues; everything from headaches and constipation to blood pressure problems can be caused by not being properly hydrated. Drinking enough water can also reduce the pain in your joints by keeping the cartilage soft and hydrated. Consider drinking a glass of water upon waking, and another before and after each meal, in addition to your daily goal of half your body weight. Adding more water to your daily routine is an easy way to help a cleansing diet be more effective.

Our digestive system needs water to function properly, so if we don’t drink water, we don’t flush out waste like urine and sweat. If you sweat, you need to drink extra water. An extra 1.5 to 2.5 cups of water is good for short bouts of exercise but if you work hard all day in the heat or run a marathon, it will be more. How much more depends on how much you sweat and how hard you are working. Drinks containing sodium (sports drinks) may be used to replace the electrolytes lost through sweat.

Remember, more fluids doesn’t just mean more water. Much of what we eat contains water, so foods with a high water content counts toward our daily intake. These tasty foods can help with a summer cleansing diet while also helping to keep you hydrated:

  • Cleansing Dietwatermelon
  • strawberries
  • grapefruit
  • cantaloupe
  • peaches
  • cucumbers
  • lettuce
  • zucchini
  • radishes
  • celery
  • tomatoes

Because warm water stimulates blood flow, soaking in water that’s around 90° to 100° works wonders for all kinds of musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia, arthritis, and low back pain. It decreases swelling and inflammation and increases circulation if you’re able to soak for at least 20 minutes. Because our skin is our body’s largest organ, it’s important to remember that water absorbed through our skin can not only help us stay hydrated, but can also be considered a key ingredient in a cleansing diet.

It is essential to take care of yourself, whether you’re following a cleansing diet or not. Water is the best source of hydration. Though you may be tempted to stop and get a cold soda, start with a nice, long, cold drink of water first.  Especially during our hot summer months.