You’d think the answer to staying hydrated was as simple as reaching for a glass of water, wouldn’t you? Well, it turns out our bodies are a little more complicated than that. A recent study has upended the conventional wisdom, finding that while water is a decent hydrator, it’s not always the best beverage for keeping us topped up for the long haul.
The secret, it seems, lies in a drink’s contents. While water does a good job of quickly diluting our bodily fluids, beverages with a touch of sugar, fat, or protein actually work even better at keeping us hydrated for longer.
This is where milk, of all things, comes in. It was found to be more hydrating than plain water. The reason is a simple, if slightly absurd, one: milk’s combo of natural sugar, protein, and a little bit of fat helps to slow down how quickly the fluid leaves your stomach. It also contains sodium, which acts like a tiny sponge, helping your body hold onto the water and producing less urine. So, a milky tea might just be a better choice for a long day than a simple glass of water.
This is not a green light for sugary drinks, however. Fruit juices and fizzy drinks, with their concentrated sugar content, are in a league of their own. When they hit your small intestine, the body has to pull water from itself to dilute all that sugar. So, instead of hydrating you, they’re actually making you thirstier. It’s the ultimate hydration own goal.
When it comes to other popular beverages, the rules are a little different. Strong alcoholic drinks, as you might expect, are a one way ticket to dehydration. But a pint of beer? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. Because of its high volume, it will cause less water loss than, say, a shot of whisky. And a regular sized cup of coffee is pretty much as hydrating as water. You’d need to consume about 2 to 4 cups to feel any diuretic effect.
Ultimately, while staying hydrated is key to a functioning body, most of us don’t need to get too bogged down in the details. If you’re thirsty, your body will let you know. But for those times when you really need to keep fluids in your system, perhaps it’s time to rethink what you’re reaching for
