Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

Our bodies are 70 percent water which is why staying hydrated is so key to basic functioning. Although they all add liquid to your body, not all drinks are created equal. While some leave you high and dry, others are hydration heroes. Here are ten beverages you should stop drinking if you want to stay hydrated and ten you should drink instead.

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1. Soda

Although it may feel satisfying to crack open a cold Coca-Cola on a hot day, it’s not an ideal way to get hydrated. While sodas aren’t dehydrating unless drank in huge quantities, they contain a lot of unhealthy added sugar, making them not an ideal source of hydration.

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2. Coffee

Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate a lot. Although coffee is mostly water, the caffeine content might make you excrete more than you absorb, but only when drunk in very large quantities. 

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3. Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are high in sugar and caffeine making them a double whammy of dehydration. Sugar draws water away from the body and into the bloodstream while caffeine causes you to urinate. 

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4. Beer

It might feel hydrating and satisfying after a tough soccer match, but beer is actually not hydrating. Although the first ingredient in it is water, the alcohol content makes it a diuretic, especially in large quantities. 

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5. Fruit Juice

Although fruits are considered healthy and hydrating, their juices are usually not. This is due to the high sugar content which inhibits hydration. It’s always better to eat whole fruits instead. 

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6. Green or Black Tea

Before embarking on one of those trendy green tea cleanses, think again. Green and black tea contain caffeine and, when drunk in large quantities, contribute to dehydration. Adding sugar to the tea adds an extra layer of dehydration. 

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7. Sports Drinks

Although they’re marketed for their hydrating qualities and electrolyte content, sports drinks are usually not optimal for hydration. They have high amounts of added sugar and are also surprisingly high in sodium, another component for dehydration. 

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8. Lemonade

Although refreshing on a hot day, lemonade is not great for hydration due to its high sugar content which pulls water from the body. If you love the taste of lemonade in the summer, try mixing water with lemon and a bit of honey for a more hydrating take.

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9. Flavored Milk

Previously thought of as a kids’ beverage, chocolate milk recently became a popular post-workout drink. However, studies haven’t been conclusive about its benefits, and it’s not recommended by doctors as a good source of hydration due to its high sugar and fat content. 

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10. Hot Chocolate

Although it’s probably not your beverage of choice on a hot day, plenty of skiers will go for it as a warming and comforting drink between runs. However, its high fat and sugar content make it a bad form of dehydration. 

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Now, let's go over some of the hydration heroes.

1. Water

The holy grail of hydration, water, is what most of our body is comprised of. It plays a key role in transporting nutrients around the body, retaining body temperature, and aiding digestion. 

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2. Coconut Water

Coconut water is a superhero of hydration. It has the benefits of water, plus it refills your electrolytes which are charged particles you lose when you sweat. They’re integral for muscle and nerve function and for retaining water in the body.

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3. Herbal Tea

Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine making them a comforting and delicious hydration source, especially when it’s cold out. Some herbal teas also contain electrolytes–just make sure to drink them without sugar to reap all the benefits without any down sides.

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4. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice is gaining steam among athletes and health junkies. It’s celebrated for its hydrating properties and its nutrients like vitamins B, C, and E making it a popular detox tonic. 

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5. Broth-based Soups

Broth is mostly water, making it hydrating, but it also contains other important nutrients like electrolytes and protein. What’s more is, it has glycine which has been shown to encourage relaxation and sleep.

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6. Milk

You may not immediately think of grabbing the milk when you’re thirsty, but studies have shown it might be an even better source of hydration than water. Milk has protein, fat, and a small amount of sodium which allow the body to hold onto water longer.

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7. Watermelon Juice

We know we just told you fruit juice is bad for dehydration, but watermelon juice is an exception. The fruit is mostly water anyway and its juice contains important electrolytes, as well as antioxidants, and amino acids that may improve workout performance.

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8. Electrolyte Drinks

Although many of the sports drinks on the market aren’t great because they’re jampacked with sugar, there are some zero-sugar varieties that are actually good. They can hydrate you, refill your electrolytes, and encourage you to drink more because they’re more fun than water.  

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9. Infused Water

Infusing water with fruits can be a great way to zest up your hydration ritual and encourage yourself to drink more water. Using certain fruits and herbs can also leach extra nutrients into your water for an added bonus.

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10. Carbonated Water

Another great way to add a pleasant and playful element to your water is by adding bubbles. Carbonated water has also been shown to aid digestion and increase satiety, and some varieties have added minerals. 

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