Water is key for staying hydrated, but there are also other drinks and foods that are hydrating. Some liquids can encourage water to leave your body. When reaching for a refreshing sip to quench your thirst, make choices for hydrating beverages and avoid the sneaky drinks that dehydrate and may contain too much sugar, salt and calories.
Hydrating: Fruit juice contains 85% water. Make sure you are picking 100% fruit juice. Dehydrating: Commercial fruit juice that is not 100% juice. Read the label.
Hydrating: Tea is refreshing and packed with antioxidants. Herbal teas are best, but even regular tea in moderation can help you get to your daily 8 glasses of water. Dehydrating: Sweet tea and soda may feel refreshing, but the sugar can deplete fluids.
Hydrating: Coffee, while it does have caffeine that in general is good to avoid, in moderation, it does hydrate. Dehydrating: Energy drinks have fluid robbing effects.
Hydrating: Milk has calcium and vitamin D, plus contains protein to help your body retain water. Plain coconut water is a trendy beverage that can help you hydrate in ways water can’t. Dehydrating: Alcohol squeezes water out of your cells.
“Iced tea is too pure and natural a creation not to have been invented as soon as tea, ice and hot weather crossed paths.” John Egerton