It’s hard to think that anything other than water could be the most hydrating drink. You might even think that sports drinks would come in second, because of the way they are advertised.
But surprisingly, one study found that the most hydrating drinks are not yet water or sports drinks. In fact, these 2 are only the 9th and 10th most hydrating drinks, and even cola is more hydrating than they are!
We take a sip of this incredible discovery to find out which drinks would be best for us when our throats are dry.
Water helps our joints work better, helps us maintain a healthy temperature, and nourishes our brain. Since we lose around 70-100 ounces of water every day from sweating, urinating, and even breathing, we need to replace this lost fluid.
However, water is not the most hydrating drink for us, according to a UK study by Ronald J. Maughan and his team.
Water Is Not As Hydrating As We Thought
The researchers evaluated 72 healthy, physically active men, ages 18 to 35. Each participant drank still water and 3 of the drinks (in addition to the still water) in the photos below.
Ranked from the most hydrating to the least hydrating:
Their urine volume was then calculated and compared to see how the 13 drinks rank in hydration. The results showed that drinks with sugar, fat and protein work better than water to keep us hydrated for longer.
Skim Milk Is The New “water.”
Among the 13 drinks, skim milk appeared to be the most hydrating, outperforming even oral rehydration solutions (ORS), sports drinks and water.
This is because it contains sugar, lactose, sodium, some proteins and fats that help reduce the need to urinate, keeping us hydrated for longer.
Second, ORS, generally used to treat diarrhea, also contain ingredients that absorb water, such as sugar, sodium, and potassium.
Coffee Is Probably Not The Best Idea When You’re Thirsty
At the other end of the spectrum, coffee and beer are not as hydrating as water. They are the only 2 drinks tested that were worse than water to hydrate our body.
Alcohol and 2 to 3 cups of coffee will make us lose more fluids, which means that they are not the ideal drinks when you are thirsty. “Strong alcoholic beverages can dehydrate you,” says Maughan.
Too Much Sugar Can Be Risky
From this study, beverages with a high sugar content, such as orange juice and Coca-Cola, appeared to be more hydrating than water.
However, too much sugar can expose you to health risks, such as diabetes, weight gain, and heart disease.
Nutritionist Melissa Majumdar has argued that while sugary drinks may stay in the body longer, the body’s water will be used to process them. This means that juice and soda can be less hydrating.
Did this discovery make you want to change the drink you bring to the next run or workout? Or does it justify your love of drinks other than water?
Preview photo credit depositphotos.com, depositphotos.com, depositphotos.com
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