The most hydrating drink in hot weather: water isn’t even in the top 3

The extreme heat that has hit most of the world is prompting people to find the best hydration solutions. According to a study from St. Andrews University in Scotland, the drink that has the best hydrating effect is skim milk, CNN reports.
Researchers found that while water – both still and carbonated – does a pretty good job of hydrating the body quickly, drinks with little sugar, fat, or protein do an even better job of keeping us hydrated for longer.

The reason has to do with how our bodies respond to drinks, according to Ronald Maughan, a professor at St. Andrews Medical School and the study’s author. One factor is the volume of a particular drink: The more you drink, the faster the drink empties from your stomach and is absorbed into your bloodstream, where it can dilute body fluids and hydrate you.

The other factor that influences how well a drink hydrates us relates to its nutritional composition. For example, milk has been found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, protein, and fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep you hydrated for longer.

Milk also contains sodium, which acts as a sponge and retains water in the body, resulting in less urine being produced.

The same can be said of oral rehydration solutions that are used to treat diarrhea. They contain small amounts of sugar as well as sodium and potassium, which can also help promote water retention in the body.

Top most hydrating drinks
The team of researchers at St Andrew’s University tested 13 common drinks to see what impact they have on hydration. Here’s what they found, ranked from most hydrating over a four-hour period to least hydrating.

Skim milk

Oral rehydration solutions

Full-fat milk

Orange juice

Coke

Diet cola

Iced tea

Tea

Still water

Sparkling water

Lager

Coffee

Related Posts

My 18th Birthday Surprise for My Stepmom Turned Her World Upside Down

Sarah’s 18th birthday became a day to remember, not only because it marked her step into adulthood but also for the heartfelt surprise she had in store…

My Husband Invited His Girl Best Friend to a Family BBQ

My husband, Jack’s “like a sister” best friend, Megan, had been a constant presence in our marriage for years, and my patience with her had run out….

DOGE Announces It’s Already Terminated 85 DEI Contracts, Much More on the Way

In absolutely massive news on X for those wanting to see Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) get into the weeds and slash discretionary spending to…

MY MARRIAGE TURNED INTO ONE BIG LETDOWN

My marriage turned into one big letdown. Over the years, my husband became a total stranger. Forget intimacy—we didn’t even have ANYTHING to talk about. What happened…

THE WEDDING INVITATION THAT BROKE OUR FAMILY

When my cousin, Lisa, announced her engagement, the whole family was ecstatic. She and Jake had been together for years, and everyone had been waiting for the…

Teen’s Journey from Heartache to Finding True Family Love

Eric’s odyssey is one of discovering himself, embracing love, and truly understanding what family means. It’s a heartfelt tale about how our sense of belonging can transform…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *