One of the keys to helping the body stay healthy, fight aging and prevent many diseases is adequate water supplementation, also known as "Stay hydrated". Hydrate is a broad concept, understood as the state of water retention or the process of providing water in general with any type of liquid or food.
According to scientists, drinking filtered water and mineral water is a simple and accessible method, effectively hydrating quickly. However, drinks containing small amounts of sugar, fat or protein even help the body stay hydrated and hydrated for a longer period of time.
To explain this, Ronald Maughan, professor at St. Andrews, referring to how the body reacts to drinks. In fact, the more water you drink, the faster the drink 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 makes the body excrete quickly and become thirstier.
An important factor that affects the hydrate level of a drink (but rarely mentioned) is the nutritional content. Research by Mr. Maughan and his colleagues shows that milk does a better job of moisturizing than water. Scientists found that milk provides more water because it contains lactose, some proteins and fats. All slow the emptying of liquid from the stomach, keeping the process hydrated for longer.
Milk also has sodium, which acts like a sponge to hold water in the body, causing people to excrete less urine.
The above mechanism is similar to 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 fluid for the body. Photo: Freepik
Milk is an effective source of fluid for the body. Photo: Freepik
Sugary drinks in moderation also hydrate well. Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium play an important role in the hydration process. The calories in sugary drinks cause the body to empty the stomach more slowly, leading to less urination, explains Dr. Melissa Majumdar, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
However, drinks high in concentrated sugar such as fruit juice or soft drinks are not effective in hydrating the body. They stay in the stomach for a long time, causing the body to digest slowly, but once they enter the small intestine, their sugar concentration will be diluted. This physiological process is called osmosis, which "pulls" water from the body into the small intestine to dilute sugar.
Thus, according to Majumdar, fruit juices and sodas provide less water, add excess sugar and calories, and are not as good for health as filtered water 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, the ability to hydrate depends on the 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 intake, due to its short-term diuretic effect.
Source : (According to CNN )
