Neither water nor beer: this is the most hydrating beverage according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
According to researchers in the U.K., water isn’t necessarily your best option for keeping yourself hydrated.
If you want to keep yourself hydrated, it appears to be a good idea to drink plenty of milk.
According to a study by researchers at St. Andrew’s University in the U.K., skimmed and full-fat milk both earn a higher beverage hydration index (BHI) than still or sparkling water.
How does milk’s BHI compare to water?
The study, whose findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN), gave skimmed milk a BHI of just under 1.5, with full-fat milk close behind it.
Still water was the best-performing of the two H2O options, with a score of 1.0.
Why does milk get a higher BHI than water?
As detailed in the AJCN, the St. Andrew’s researchers note that milk’s fat, protein and carbohydrate content is a significant factor, as this helps drinks to empty from the stomach more slowly.
“Drinks with a little bit of sugar, fat or protein do a better job of keeping us hydrated,” says hydration expert Ron Maughan, the study’s lead author, per The Daily Drip.
The St. Andrew’s University research also highlights the role of the sodium and potassium that are present in milk: they’re electrolytes that are also associated with “greater fluid retention”, the scientists explain.
“The drinks with the highest electrolyte content tended to have the highest BHI,” the researchers say.
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