Which drink is best for hydration? Hint: It isn’t water

A very helpful link

by Gemita - 2023-07-15 09:10:03

Hello Dave, I will try not to give the game away, but that finding is not altogether surprising.  A bit like food where refined foods hit the blood stream quickly, whereas whole foods take longer to digest and therefore keep us going longer.  I really found the link helpful thank you and a reminder to drink more water and especially . . . (read the link)! 

I have always known that caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating and that juice and soda contain extra sugars and calories.  If the choice is between soda and water for hydration, go with water every time the link recommends.  After all, our kidneys and liver depend on water to get rid of toxins in our bodies, and water also plays a key role in maintaining skin’s elasticity and suppleness (and I particularly need to remember this).   I just wish my body would tell me when I am dehydrated.  I never ever feel thirsty but have collapsed in the heat

Now that is interesting......

by Beni - 2023-07-15 09:25:38

Thanks for that link, Dave.

I feel somewhat vindicated.  I have drank this everyday of my life, as both of my parents did.  I usually drink 2 or 3 375 ml (10 oz. give or take) glasses of this each day.  So does my husband.  When we ask for it when we are out at a restaurant, the servers look at us like we are weird.  I mean, who knew?

Hydrate

by docklock - 2023-07-15 12:12:15

WOW!  

I do actually drink quite a bit of that every day. Great read.

I used to think a cold beer or a Gin & Tonic was hydrating enough in my previous younger life.  All the Cardio guys and gals said: absolutely NO alcohol. 

So I don't use any alcohol and won't anymore.

The small gut can't absorb just plain water

by crustyg - 2023-07-15 13:22:19

IIRC, the first thing that the small gut has to do with a torrent of water is secrete solute into it - and *then* you can start to absorb it, so it's no great surprise that water alone isn't the best way to rehydrate.

But even knowing that, having run a kidney stone clinic for some time, *any* form of water is good in a hot, dry environment.  Most folk who've had a kidney stone fragment migrate down the ureter from kidney to bladder are extremely keen to avoid a repeat experience.

You might be surprised how many people restrict their fluid intake for reasons of convenience - long distance drivers, coach drivers etc. and then wonder why some of them get kidney stones.

Crustyg - I wonder

by Good Dog - 2023-07-15 14:28:37

You make somne great points. It is interesting. Since you have the experience with kidney stones I am hoping you can answer this question for me. 

Assuming the average person drinks 3-4 liters of water per/day (normal intake), with all else being equal, does the water hardness have a significant impact on the potential for kidney stone formation? I've heard an argument on both sides. Most drinking water is relatively soft in the U.S., but there are many small communities that have very hard water (minimal treatment). Also, bottled mineral water can be extremely hard. Obviously, water hardness is determined by the calcium and magnesium content. Hard water can have as much as 3 times the amount of calcium and magnesium as soft water. Here is a typical example:

A moderately hard water with 30 mg/l calcium ion and magnesium ion content of 5 mg/l (total hardness = 95 mg/l expressed as calcium carbonate)

compared to a very hard water

70 mg/l calcium ion and 25 mg/l magnesium ion (total hardness = 280 mg/l expressed as calcium carbonate)

Do you think it matters? 

Water hardness - not relevant

by crustyg - 2023-07-15 16:21:45

Most male kidney stone formers have low urinary citrate which is hereditary.  Most women with stones have recurrent UTIs.  A tiny minority have parathyroid tumours, which we're always on the lookout for - a small operation by an experienced surgeon and 100% cure.

Dietary calcium intake isn't a big factor on its own. Bioavailable dietary calcium is much more important.  All of the calcium in cow's milk is in the watery part, but the VitD needed to absorb it is in the fat (it's a fat soluble vitamin), so skimmed milk is entirely useless for strong bones in senior years.  Dietary phytate reduces bioavailability of calcium which is a factor for some S Asian diets.

Sodium intake is a factor in urinary calcium: increasing urinary sodium increases urinary calcium (it's a convenient oral treatment for mild hypercalcaemia - thiazide diuretics have the same effect).

Urinary stone formation is complex, but for most people it's lack of water intake +/- infection + biological factors.

crustyg - THANKS!

by Good Dog - 2023-07-15 16:52:14

Well, thank you for that thorough and detailed response. The education! You provided me with a much better understanding. It all makes very good sense. You finally put the matter to rest for me.

It is very much appreciated!

Dave

Dave you sly dog

by Lavender - 2023-07-15 20:19:24

Making us play seek n find for the answer 🤣