We know that water quenches thirst, right? But HOW MUCH quenches your thirst? Or rather: how much can this liquid hydrate you? Scientists have been poring over this question and it seems that they have finally reached a consensus.
As much as water is paramount for the proper functioning of the human body, it is not the most hydrating liquid available.
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Researchers at the University of Saint Andrews compared the effects of water with other water on hydration. With this, they realized that the components of the drinks cause them to have different reactions in the human body.
For example, protein and fat have a better response than just hydrogen and oxygen. But that's not why you're going to stop drinking water, is it?
Which drink most hydrates the human being? Find it out!
To create the ranking, the scientists evaluated the permanence of liquid in the stomach and the retention or elimination of urine.
- Skimmed milk;
- Serum;
- whole milk;
- Orange juice;
- Refrigerator;
- Zero sugar soda;
- Iced tea;
- Hot tea;
- Energetic;
- Still water;
- Sparkling water;
- lager type beer;
- Coffee.
But how is this possible?
First of all, we need to understand how the hydrationof the body. One of the main factors in the process, according to the study, is the volume of the liquid. Right after that is the nutritional value.
When we drink water, it goes into the stomach and is absorbed into the bloodstream almost immediately. From there, it is diluted in our body fluids to hydrate us.
However, the sugar, proteins and fat in milk make this process take longer. In this way, they promote greater hydration. In addition, the sodium in the drink acts like a sponge, retaining more water in the body.
The same goes for whey. So much so that the liquid is used to help treat intestinal disorders or vomiting.
Sugar and alcohol get in the way of hydration
Drinks with a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks and industrialized juices, even stay longer in the stomach – like milk and whey. However, the high concentration of glucose “pulls” water from the body into the small intestine by osmosis. Thus, it causes more thirst.
This is not counting the extra calories and the damage that drinks with a lot of sugar do to the kidneys.
As for alcohol, it is a diuretic. This means that it increases the amount of urine eliminated. However, its hydration depends on the volume of the drink. For example, beer causes less water loss than whiskey or wine.
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.