The most unhealthy drinks to keep you hydrated
Fizzy drinks. Soft drinks or sodas have a high sugar or caffeine content, which can actually cause dehydration. It's also bad for oral health. Try to moderate your intake of soft drinks.
With beginning symptoms of dehydration, you can rehydrate by consuming fluids that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions. There are also foods available that have a high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. These will also help with rehydration.
Milk is more hydrating than water
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
Foods that hydrate you
Foods that typically provide the highest water content are raw fruits and vegetables. Eating a diet heavy in produce is a good way to give the body vitamins, minerals and fiber while increasing your daily water intake.
Fruits and vegetables can help with hydration [a banana is 74% water!] and provide healthful nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. So for elite athletes – or those just trying to stay fit – a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, including bananas, is important for performing at your best!
Dehydrating herbs
Herbs are one of the easiest and quickest foods to dry. There's little preparation and they store for a long time without losing their flavor.
For mild or moderate dehydration you will need to increase your fluid intake and the level of salt in your body. One way to do this is to drink a commercial rehydration solution. However, it can be as effective to drink water or a flat cola drink and eat a salty snack such as a packet of crisps.
Lucozade Sport provides carbohydrates and electrolytes to enhance hydration during physical exercise. Lucozade Sport contains sodium, the main electrolyte lost in sweat. It contains carbohydrates and electrolytes to enhance hydration and help maintain endurance performance.
Bananas and avocados are rich in potassium, and many fruits are good sources of simple carbohydrates that, in the right quantities, can help your body absorb fluids and use later.
For more mild or moderate cases of dehydration, expect your body to feel better after just a few hours, but full rehydration won't happen until about three days later. That's why even if you feel better fairly quickly, you shouldn't rush back into your regular routine.
That's right, clocking in at more than 94% water content, tomatoes are officially the most hydrating fruit you can put into your body, which works out great in the summertime, as tomatoes end up in salads, atop burgers, and even eaten fresh with a drizzle of olive oil.
Whether you're trying to get some extra hydration or you don't like drinking your water, it's beneficial to incorporate hydrating foods into your diet, according to Harvard Medical School.
Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and carbohydrates, as well as fluids that can help to keep your body hydrated. It also contains electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, which can help to replenish lost electrolytes.
In fact, water may not even crack the top five of the most hydrating drinks out there. According to a study from Scotland's St. Andrew's University, milk, Pedialyte and soda top the list of most hydrating beverages.
Best Overall: Gatorade
The levels of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) are moderate and sensible with 160 mg of sodium and 45mg of potassium per 12 fluid ounce serving. You can also find Gatorade varieties with higher sodium, zero sugar or no calories depending on your needs.
You might have an electrolyte imbalance: Electrolyte imbalances are one of the most common reasons you might feel dehydrated even after drinking tons of water: “Sometimes if we drink a lot of water but we don't take in enough fruits and vegetables, our electrolytes—sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, etc.
Signs of dehydration include: Headache, delirium, confusion. Tiredness (fatigue). Dizziness, weakness, light-headedness.