We are told over and over just how good water is for us. In fact, new drink guidelines push water on our kids but now, Experts Say, Water Is Not The Best Drink for Hydration and it left me wondering why…
Our bodies need water and we hear drink – WATER, WATER, WATER. We get it, water is good for us and it’s a great way to hydrate our bodies quickly.
However, experts have realized that it isn’t the most sufficient way to stay hydrated.
According to a research study conducted by
Scotland’s St. Andrews University researchers found that drinks with a little bit of sugar, fat or protein do an even better job of keeping us hydrated for longer.
The reason is because the more water you drink, the faster your stomach empties the fluid but drinks with sugar are held onto a bit longer which help slow the emptying of the fluid allowing you to remain hydrated longer.
The study gave participants 13 different commonly consumed drinks and compared urine output and fluid balance. The study concluded that:
Cumulative urine output at 4 h after ingestion of cola, diet cola, hot tea, iced tea, coffee, lager, orange juice, sparkling water, and a sports drink were not different from the response to water ingestion.
Of all the drinks, milk was one of the best ways to stay hydrated since it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat keeping you hydrated longer.
“This study tells us much of what we already knew: Electrolytes — like sodium and potassium — contribute to better hydration, while calories in beverages result in slower gastric emptying and therefore slower release of urination.” – Melissa Majumdar, a registered dietitian, personal trainer and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
While we now know there are other ways besides water to stay hydrated, you still want to limit the amount of sugar you consume as that can cause all sorts of other issues.
Moral of the story – drink lots of water but if you are heading into the dessert you might want to chug a bunch of milk before you do!
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