Best drink for hydration in hot weather
Which drink hydrates better in the heat (Screenshot)
The human body is primarily composed of water, which is essential for normal functioning. However, it has been found that in hot weather, drinking plain still water alone may not be sufficient for proper hydration.
What exactly should be consumed in the heat for deep hydration, advises The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
What is hydration?
Proper hydration, especially in hot weather or during exercise, is crucial for maintaining balance in the body. The human body is primarily composed of water, and hydration helps maintain proper body temperature, nourishes cells, lubricates joints, prevents infections, and supports the functioning of the heart, kidneys, and intestines.
However, hydration involves not only replenishing fluids and maintaining their balance but also retaining them in the body. This means the benefits of consuming a drink should not be quickly lost through urination.
We drink periodically but constantly lose water from our bodies. On hot days, we lose even more. Therefore, in hot weather, it is necessary to drink more fluids than usual, around 3-4 liters per day.
What to drink in hot weather? This drink hydrates better than water
According to a study conducted at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, water is not the most hydrating beverage.
Nearly 90 healthy and sufficiently hydrated adults participated in the experiment. Scottish scientists calculated the hydration index of various beverages, considering how much water a certain liquid provides and how quickly it is excreted through urine.
Each participant drank 1 liter of water or another beverage within half an hour, and the amount of urine they produced over the next four hours was measured.
This study reveals much of what we already knew: electrolytes such as sodium and potassium enhance hydration, while calories in beverages encourage slower stomach emptying and, consequently, slower urination.
The study's results are surprising, as it was found that milk hydrates the body more than water. This applied to both skimmed and whole milk. This is because milk contains sugar (lactose), protein, and fat, which help slow down fluid emptying from the stomach and maintain hydration longer. Additionally, the sodium it contains helps retain water in the body.
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