Which beverage hydrates the body better than water?

USA Alcoholic beverages, concentrated sugar, coffee all dehydrate the body, and milk moisturizes the body more effectively than ordinary water.

One of the keys to keeping the body healthy, anti-aging and preventing many diseases is adequate water intake, also known as "Stay hydrate". Hydrate (moisturization, water supply) is a broad concept, understood as the state of water retention or the process of providing water in general with any liquid or food.

According to scientists, drinking filtered water, mineral water is a simple and accessible method, effectively moisturizing quickly. However, drinks that contain small amounts of sugar, fat or protein even help the body stay hydrated for longer.

To explain this, Ronald Maughan, professor at St. Andrews, referring to how the body reacts to the drink. In fact, the more water you drink, the quicker the beverage leaves the stomach and is absorbed into the bloodstream, diluting body fluids, causing dehydration. Therefore, drinking large amounts of filtered water in a short time causes the body to excrete quickly and become more thirsty.

The important factor that affects the hydration level of a drink (but is rarely mentioned) is the nutritional composition. Research by Mr. Maughan and colleagues shows that milk does a better job of moisturizing than water. The scientists found that milk provides more water because it contains lactose, some protein and fat. They all slow down the emptying of liquid from the stomach, keeping hydrated for a longer period of time.

Milk also has sodium, which acts like a sponge holding water in the body, causing people to excrete less urine.

The mechanism above is similar to that of rehydration solutions commonly used to treat diarrhea. These solutions contain small amounts of sugar, sodium and potassium, which promote water retention in the body.

Milk is an effective source of fluids for the body. Photo: Freepik

Moderately sweetened beverages are also good for replenishing water. Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium play an important role in hydration. The calories in sugary drinks cause the body to empty the stomach more slowly and urinate less, explains Dr. Melissa Majumdar, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

However, drinks that are high in concentrated sugars such as fruit juices or soft drinks are not as effective at hydrating them. They stay in the stomach for a long time, causing the body to digest slowly, but once in the small intestine, their sugar concentration will be diluted. This physiological process, called osmosis, has the effect of "pulling" water from the body into the small intestine to dilute the sugar.

Thus, according to Majumdar, juice and soda provide less water, add excess sugar and calories, and are not as healthy as filtered or mineral water.

For alcoholic beverages, hydration depends on the total volume. Beer causes less dehydration than alcohol, because the volume of beer consumed is usually higher. In general, alcoholic beverages cause dehydration.

For coffee, hydration depends on caffeine content. Regular coffee contains about 80 mg of caffeine per 350 ml. Consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine, or about two to four cups of coffee, can reduce excess fluid, because of its short-term diuretic effect.