Certain beverages can be more hydrating than plain water.
Scientific studies using the beverage hydration index demonstrate that certain beverages containing specific amounts of electrolytes, carbohydrates, or proteins can retain fluids in the body more effectively than plain water.
The claim that certain beverages can be more hydrating (or yield superior fluid retention) than plain water is strongly supported by multiple peer-reviewed studies using the Beverage Hydration Index (BHI). Research consistently shows that oral rehydration solutions, milk, and specific carbohydrate-electrolyte or isotonic beverages result in lower cumulative urine output and higher fluid retention compared to plain water.
Mindy Millard-Stafford, Teresa K. Snow, Michael L. Jones, HyunGyu Suh. The Beverage Hydration Index: Influence of Electrolytes, Carbohydrate and Protein. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13092933
Demonstrates that beverages with specific electrolyte and nutrient combinations have higher beverage hydration index (BHI) scores than plain water.
See more details
M. Clarke, A. Stanhewicz, S. Wolf, S. Cheuvront, R. Kenefick, W. Kenney. A randomized trial to assess beverage hydration index in healthy older adults.. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz009
Shows that glucose- and amino acid-based hydration beverages with sodium achieve higher BHI values than plain water.
R. Maughan, P. Watson, P. Cordery, N. Walsh, S. Oliver, A. Dolci, N. Rodriguez-Sanchez, S. Galloway. Sucrose and Sodium but not Caffeine Content Influence the Retention of Beverages in Humans Under Euhydrated Conditions.. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0047
Highlights that carbohydrate and sodium content significantly improve the fluid retention potential of beverages compared to water.
Craig W. Berry, S. Wolf, B. Murray, W. Kenney. Hydration Efficacy of a Milk Permeate-Based Oral Hydration Solution. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051502
Finds that a milk permeate solution sustains positive fluid balance post-ingestion more effectively than water.
Junto Otsuka, Yumi Okamoto, Yasuaki Enoki, Daisuke Maejima, Naoto Fujii, G. Kenny, T. Mündel, James D. Cotter, T. Amano. Effects of ingesting beverages containing glycerol and sodium with isomaltulose or sucrose on fluid retention in young adults: a single-blind, randomized crossover trial.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2023-0483
Indicates that adding specific sugars to electrolyte beverages enhances fluid retention and BHI relative to control water.
Ronald J Maughan, Phillip Watson, Philip Aa Cordery, Neil P Walsh, Samuel J Oliver, Alberto Dolci, Nidia Rodriguez-Sanchez, Stuart Dr Galloway. A randomized trial to assess the potential of different beverages to affect hydration status: development of a beverage hydration index.. 2016. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.114769
Establishes through the Beverage Hydration Index that specific oral rehydration solutions and milk outperform plain water in fluid retention.
Emily E Bechke, Mitchell E Zaplatosch, Ji-Yeon Choi, William M Adams. Utility of an Isotonic Beverage on Hydration Status and Cardiovascular Alterations.. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14061286
Observes that an isotonic beverage promotes greater fluid retention capacity compared to distilled water.
Phei Ching Siow, Wei Shuan Kimberly Tan, Christiani Jeyakumar Henry. Impact of Isotonic Beverage on the Hydration Status of Healthy Chinese Adults in Air-Conditioned Environment.. 2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9030242
Reports that isotonic beverages are more effective at retaining fluids and maintaining hydration status than distilled water.
The paper trail · every fact has a biography
Challenge the receipt
Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work · Dispute this receipt