As summer makes its last gasp here in Minnesota and we all try and cram in our "one last wanna" (especially if it's outside), it's important to stay hydrated. I personally have about 10 cups of coffee every morning, plus a soda here and there. I have been known to drink real, actual, water, but it just doesn't taste as good as coffee. I have always felt bad about this and tried to change my habits, but I did a little research and found out that I don’t have to. Here are some other things you can drink besides water and still stay hydrated.

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    Orange Juice

    OJ is good for you because it is loaded with Vitamin C which is a natural booster for your immune system. It also has something in it called hesperiden. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition claims that hesperiden is a chemical found in plants that has been shown to benefit your heart and may decrease blood pressure which is one of the leading causes of heart disease.

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    Green Tea

    Green tea, as well as other herbal teas are packed with polyphenols (aka antioxidants) that help fight off free radicals which can cause cell damage. According to a study by the University of Maryland, in Far Eastern cultures, green tea is used to treat skin conditions as well as a natural diuretic for when you’re feeling bloated and icky. The study also showed that green tea can help regulate blood sugar and possibly promote healthy cholesterol levels.

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    Milk

    There are so many reasons to drink your milk. Number one, because mom and dad said so or you’ll go on time out and number two, milk contains calcium to promote good bone density and strong teeth, Vitamin D that promotes healthy skin and it’s loaded with protein to help muscle growth. Skim milk is supposedly better for you than sports drinks because it has slightly more sodium which helps your body absorb the main ingredient: Water. For those who can’t drink cow’s milk, soy milk will work, too.

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    V8

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    Chicken Noodle Soup

    Whenever I feel sick, the first thing I go for (after I hit the NyQuil) is chicken noodle soup. That was what Mom and Dad always fixed for me when I was little and wasn’t feeling well, but I can truly say I have never brought a cup of chicken noodle soup to a training run at Lake George or a tennis game at Riverside Park, but, apparently, an average cup has 840 milligrams of sodium and 14 grams of carbohydrates to help your body retain the water in the broth.

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