Juice and soda are not only less hydrating, but offer extra sugars and calories that won't fill us up as much as solid foods, explained Majumdar. If the choice is between soda and water for hydration, go with water every time.
Nutrients experts recommend 8 glasses of water per day while limiting soda or better yet, avoiding it altogether. Firstly, soda is caffeinated and high levels of caffeine may lead to dehydration. Water has the opposite effect, it is calorie free and hydrating and the benefits are priceless.
Your hydration
A can of soda may seem to quench your thirst, but the caffeine contained in most popular drinks is a diuretic, which can cause dehydration. The high levels of sodium and sugar in soda can also contribute to dehydration.
Do caffeinated drinks like Coca‑Cola count towards my recommended daily water intake? Yes. Sparkling soft drinks, including reduced and no sugar, no calorie options, contain between 85% and 99% water, which means they can help quench thirst and count towards your recommended daily fluid intake.
On top of that, sodas often contain high amounts of salt (sodium) and caffeine. While water is the main component of sodas, the carbonation in the soda is highly acidic, which can lead to damage to the teeth, esophagus, and other organs as the body works to neutralize the acidity.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
The fastest way to hydrate is with an oral rehydration solution. These products are packed with electrolytes which are minerals found in your body that balance fluid levels and maintain optimal hydration. While you can hydrate fast with regular water, focus on electrolytes.
A regular cola is about 89 percent water, according to USDA data, which means that almost 11 of the 12 ounces (oz) in a can of soda can be counted toward your fluid intake for the day.
For optimal health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend consuming no more than 6 tsp of added sugar daily. By drinking just one serving of cola a day, a person will easily exceed this amount.
Even one or two colas a day could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 20%. Sugar intake is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess fat, all of which increase the risk of heart disease. Colas and other sugary drinks have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Chugging as much water as you can all day is likely not the best or most efficient way to stay hydrated, and it's technically possible to overdo it. There is such a thing as overhydration that causes some unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects.
“In most cases, water alone is sufficient for hydration,” Schreiber says. “It keeps your body cool and helps make your muscles and joints work better while preventing cramps and fatigue.”
The researchers found that while water — both still and sparkling — does a pretty good job of quickly hydrating the body, beverages with a little bit of sugar, fat or protein do an even better job of keeping us hydrated for longer.
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.
It hydrates you
This myth comes from a study funded by Gatorade that found people who drank their product were better hydrated than if they drank water—but only because they drank more fluids. If you drank the same volume of water versus Gatorade, you'd be equally hydrated.
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.
Nobody in the world drinks more Coca-Cola and other fizzy drinks than the residents of Chiapas, Mexico's southernmost and poorest state. In the state's mountain town of San Cristóbal de las Casas – population 186,000 - locals drink just over two litres of soft drink a day, or around 800 litres a year.
The aluminum cans have a polymer lining that can absorb some of the soda's flavors, food chemist Sarah Risch tells Popular Science, potentially making the taste milder.
While most fast food restaurants have their Coca-Cola syrup delivered to them in plastic bags, McDonald's gets their syrup specially delivered in stainless steel tanks. The special tanks keep the syrup fresh and protect it from light, temperature, air, and anything else that might take away from its delicious flavor.