HealthMilk outperforms water for hydration, scientists confirm

Milk outperforms water for hydration, scientists confirm

What hydrates best?
What hydrates best?
Images source: © Adobe Stock | DIEGO GALLEGO
Mateusz Domański

21 June 2024 13:29

It's getting hotter, so many Canadians wonder what to drink on hot days. Some people mistakenly believe that water is the best hydrating drink. However, scientists from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland have debunked this myth.

What affects adequate hydration? The composition of the drink is crucial. Experts have found that milk hydrates even better than plain water. This is because it contains lactose, proteins, and fats that slow down stomach emptying and help maintain hydration for a more extended period.

Milk also contains sodium, which acts like a sponge, retaining water in the body and producing less urine.

It turns out that skimmed milk is the best hydrating drink. This conclusion comes from research conducted by scientists from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

These beverages hydrate best

Skimmed milk topped the list prepared by Scottish researchers. Oral rehydration solutions and whole milk also made it to the podium.

It's interesting to note where water ranks in hydration. Still, water is in the tenth spot, while carbonated water is in the eleventh. This ranking clearly shows that water does not hydrate well compared to other drinks, losing out to beverages like Coca-Cola, orange juice, and tea.

However, some drinks hydrate even worse than water, such as beer and coffee.

  1. Skimmed milk
  2. Oral rehydration solutions
  3. Whole milk
  4. Orange juice
  5. Cola
  6. Diet cola
  7. Iced tea
  8. Tea
  9. Sports isotonic drink
  10. Still water
  11. Carbonated water
  12. Beer
  13. Coffee