Drinks That Are Contributing To Your Dehydration

Dehydration is more common than you’d think. In fact, for most Americans staying hydrated is a real challenge. Though most of us drink about 8 beverages per day; this number can be offset by caffeinated & alcoholic beverages as well as a high sodium diet. Not being properly hydrated can cause fatigue and affect your mind and mood in negative ways. A few drinks that may affect your body’s hydration include:

soda

Hopefully, you are not shocked this item made it on the list. Soda’s are packed with ingredients specifically known to be dehydrating such as sugar, caffeine & sodium.

TIP: Sparkling mineral water is a good alternative to soda if you like the fizz. Add some lemon or lime for flavor and it can be quite refreshing!

coffee

The key is to drink coffee in moderation, but even after the second cup, your body may experience some dehydration not to mention the jitters! Though the amount of water in coffee outweighs the amount of caffeine it is best to make sure coffee doesn't affect your body’s wellbeing, to do this limit your coffee intake to 1-2 cups a day.

TIP: Ensure to drink some mineralized water before or after your morning coffee and it will help you curve the craving for more coffee.

lemonade

I was shocked too! Lemonade though it appears to be highly hydrating and refreshing it may actually have the opposite effect but that’s only due to the high sugar content in most lemonades - especially the ones made from powder, prebottled or fountain drink machines.

TIP: Make lemonade at home with real lemons and with less sugar, make sure to refer to this list of natural sweeteners for an even better result!

sweet tea

Tea, like coffee, is also a diuretic making it naturally dehydrating. However, since sweet tea is also packed with sugar it is even more dehydrating. In fact, adding any sugar to your tea automatically cancels out any antioxidant benefits so it’s best to keep it unsweetened or follow it with plenty of water.

TIP: Herbal teas (not black teas) without sugar are much more hydrating.

energy drinks

Energy drinks are like a compilation of all the previously mentioned drinks. They are full of caffeine, sugars, complicated chemicals making them highly dehydrating.

TIP: If you are really needing a quick boost of energy choose plain tea or coffee. You can also refer to this least for some ideas on foods that will naturally provide you with a boost of energy. 

alcohol

Any beverages that contain alcohol are dehydrating. Though beer and other alcoholic drinks may feel like the perfect drink on a late summer afternoon, they will actually dehydrate you more than you’d expect. Alcohol causes cells to shrink, which squeezes water out removing water from your tissues.

TIP: It is highly advised to drink even more water when drinking alcohol to balance the effects of it in your body!

hot cocoa

Depending on how you make hot cocoa it is possible that one cup of this deliciously warm and inviting drink has more sugar and calories than a can of soda therefore also making it far from hydrating.

TIP: Make hot cocoa at home with cocoa powder with less sugar and enjoy this delicious beverage.

fruit juice

Specifically referring to boxed juice, since it normally has added sugars or a high concentration of natural sugar. Though juice is made from fruits, it may not feel hydrating because it is lacking the beneficial fiber found in fruits and it is packed with sugars.

TIP: Choose juices without added sugars and if they still feel too sweet, you can add water!

It’s weird that some liquids may actually work against hydration, but it’s true. The best thing you can do is to make sure you do not reach for any of these beverages the next time you feel really thirsty since thirst is already a sign of onset dehydration. For more ideas on how to stay hydrated naturally & well see our post on naturally flavored waters.

Disclaimer

Welcome to A Swell Space! I'm sharing what I've learned through my own experiences and research. I'm not a doctor, therapist, or your professional expert, so please don't take my content as professional advice. Always check with a healthcare provider or other professional before making important decisions about your health, finances, or life.

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