Thirsty for the ultimate hydration hack? The quest for the quickest quencher is real, especially when every beverage claims to be the best. As someone who’s been through the hydration maze, I get it.
In this article, we’re diving into the contenders for the title of the fastest hydrator. Join me in the search for the elixir that will keep you refreshed in no time.
What Drink Will Hydrate You the Fastest?
So, what drink will hydrate you the fastest? Generally, the best drinks for rehydration include plain water, electrolyte drinks, coconut water, and fruit juice.
There are a lot of electrolyte sources, and you will never be short on options when rehydrating your body (or keeping it hydrated in the first place). Whether you need to replace lost water after an intense workout, post-illness, or at the end of a hot and humid day, you can rehydrate yourself with various drinks and solutions.
Common Causes of Dehydration
You can become dehydrated relatively quickly (within hours), and there are several causes, including:
- Not drinking enough water
- High-intensity exercise
- Living in a hot and humid climate
- Consuming too much salt in your diet
- Not eating enough protein
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Certain medications, including calcium channel blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids
- Illnesses or infections
You’ll notice when your body starts to get dehydrated because you might experience:
- Increased thirst
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Dry skin
- Dark and strong-smelling urine
How to Quickly Rehydrate
When it comes to increasing your intake, you have a few different options. In general, the best thing to do is to drink water.
Drinking Plain Water
Of course, you can overcome dehydration by drinking more water. Plain water is one of the most hydrating fluids you can consume. Increasing your daily water intake by just one or two glasses can be enough to prevent dehydration and associated symptoms.
Here are a couple of other ways you can hydrate fast:
- Intravenous Rehydration (IV Injection or Drip): This rehydration method refers to injecting fluids into your veins via a drip. A drip uses a small plastic tube called a cannula that a doctor or nurse inserts into the vein (usually in the crease of the elbow, the forearm, or the hand).
- Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS): Oral rehydration solution (ORS) comprises a glucose, electrolytes, and water blend. ORS is commonly used in modern-day medicine as an effective way to rehydrate the body and treat metabolic acidosis.
Ways to Hydrate Fast
Injecting fluids intravenously isn’t something you can do at home. It requires medical professionals and the appropriate equipment to administer fluids into your veins safely. So, what can you do if you need to hydrate fast at home?
You can drink many things at home to maximize your fluid intake and avoid dehydration. Here are some great options to try when you want to hydrate your body.
Plain Water
Clean drinking water is easily accessible in developed countries, so it’s a simple and easy way to hydrate yourself. You can drink water during and after an intense workout, on a hot summer’s day, or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Pre-Made Electrolyte Drinks
You can purchase drinks that contain added electrolytes and essential minerals your body needs to function correctly. These electrolytes include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphorous.
Drinks that combine water and electrolytes can replenish everything you’ve lost in sweat to keep the symptoms of dehydration at bay.
Homemade Electrolyte Drinks
If you don’t like the look of pre-made electrolyte drinks, you can make your very own at home by combining a range of electrolyte-containing ingredients. The benefit of making your own electrolyte beverage at home is that you can include your favorite foods and flavors.
Some great ingredients for your homemade electrolyte drinks include sugar (glucose), sea salt, ginger, lemon, lime, and coconut.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a great way to increase fluid intake and support your health. Coconut is packed full of minerals that act as electrolytes in the body to influence fluid balance and hydration.
Be careful to buy coconut water from brands that don’t add lots of sugar and artificial sweeteners to their drinks. Choosing low-sugar options will prevent you from overconsuming sugar, which can cause health issues in and of itself.
Fruit Smoothies
Whether you buy ready-to-drink fruit smoothies from the shop or make your own concoctions at home, they’re an easy way to hydrate your body and increase your intake of vitamins and minerals.
Make sure to include lots of high-potassium ingredients in your homemade beverages. Alongside sodium, potassium aids fluid balance in the body and prevents water retention (edema) and bloating. Potassium-rich fruits to blend into your smoothies include avocados, bananas, dried apricots, and raisins.
Related Questions
Here are three common questions and answers for dehydration and rehydration.
What Is the Best Drink for Dehydration in Adults?
Although there are plenty of different options to treat dehydration, you can’t go wrong with water. Plain water rehydrates the body by replacing lost fluids containing no artificial ingredients or added sugars.
What Drinks Hydrate You Best?
When you want to hydrate yourself, you are best choosing any of the following drinks: plain water, coconut water, fruit juice (such as watermelon juice), smoothies, and electrolyte drinks.
How Can You Stay Hydrated Without Drinking Water?
If you don’t like the taste of plain water or want to make things a little more exciting when staying hydrated, you can try flavored electrolyte drinks, fruit juice, coconut water or milk, and hot drinks like herbal teas.
Conclusion
Whether you’re dehydrated due to a recent sickness, a high-intensity workout, or a medical condition that impacts your body’s fluid balance, you can try various things to rehydrate yourself and prevent complications. Quick and effective rehydration methods include drinks, oral solutions, and intravenous fluid injections.
