The rise of the #EmotionalSupportWaterBottle has us seriously thinking about hydration.
While the idea of walking around with giant Stanley reusable containers (or ES Best’s favourite usurper Owala) has spurred a thousand satirical memes, we can have the last laugh knowing the benefits that staying watered have had on our health.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, these include but are not limited to preventing infections, keeping organs functioning properly, improving sleep and mood and supporting healthy skin.
This becomes all the more important if you’re prone to headaches, constipation, hungover or you’re into fitness. Staying hydrated is essential to boost energy levels, whether you’re in a HIIT class, going on a run or fighting the afternoon slump. And sometimes, the tap variety alone just doesn’t cut it.
That’s when you’ll need to call in the big guns - AKA electrolyte and mineral-rich drinks that increase the rate of water being drawn into the cells. These minerals include sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to rehydrate and regulate for quench-thirsting refreshment with every sip. The performance-enhancing beverages are also typically flavoured, making it easier than ever to hit your recommended daily 6 to 8 cups or glasses (as determined by the NHS).
What is the most hydrating drink?
Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton at the Tea Advisory Panel tells us that “according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition [the most hydrating drink is] an oral rehydration solution but it’s unpalatable due to the addition of salts”.
She continues, “Hot and iced teas were just as hydrating as water according to the study. This fact is well understood by the public. Real-world research commissioned by the Tea Advisory Panel found that more than 8 in ten Brits said that tea counts towards their daily fluid recommendation.”
What hydrates you fast?
“Use an oral rehydration solution if you are ill and need to get water in fast”, recommends Dr Ruxton. “But it is better to ward off dehydration by drinking 8-10 cups of fluid a day including water, regular tea or herbal teas.”
Do fizzy drinks hydrate you?
In a word, no. The dietician explains, “they are rich in sugars which encourage water loss in the gut – leading to diarrhoea. According to a study in rats, rehydration with soft drinks worsened dehydration and damaged the kidneys. So [they] are best avoided.”
Is drinking tea hydrating?
“Yes”, she stresses. “According to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition, which tested up to six daily cups of tea against a similar volume of water. There were no significant differences in any of the blood or urine markers of hydration. Tea has several advantages over water for keeping us hydrated. Firstly, it contains polyphenols which are natural antioxidants. Secondly, it contains a small amount of caffeine which boosts alertness. Thirdly, it contains an amino acid called L-theanine which reduces stress. Finally, it contains fluoride which helps keep our teeth healthy.”
Does drinking sparkling water hydrate you?
Dr Ruxton confirms “Yes, it would have the same effect as still water. However, it’s worth noting that carbonation makes drinks more acidic, and this can erode tooth enamel over time.”
Is drinking coffee hydrating?
“Only to a very small extent and it is not as hydrating as tea”, she concludes. “Coffee has more than double the caffeine content of tea. Excess caffeine from coffee can stimulate our bladders to produce urine more frequently.”
Supercharge your hydration routine with the drinks below
Ancient + Brave True Hydration Sachets
Back in the early 2010s, the trend for drinking coconut water blew up with its potassium-rich properties, low-calorie content and cholesterol-free benefits. But for many the beverage was overly saccharine. To get the advantageous elements without the blood sugar spiking, Ancient + Brave’s True Hydration is on hand.
Its combination of natural electrolytes takes its inspiration from coconut water and provides speedy hydration. The contents are rich in prebiotic fibre that aids the digestive system and minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium draw water to the cells. Crucially, however, there are no artificial flavours or sweeteners.
Buy now £24.00, Ancient + Brave
Maurten Drink Mix 320 - Box of 14
Maurten is a brand that athletes will be very familiar with. The label’s gels are regularly spotted during marathons or triathlons to give competitors a sustained energy boost. The drink mix is a similar type of fueling favourite, delivering endurance using hydrogel technology. When combined with water, the Maurten Drink Mix 320 forms hydrogel that brings H2O, salt and carbohydrates to the intestines, encouraging it to be better absorbed.
If you needed any additional motivation to test it out, it has been given the seal of approval from Eliud Kipchoge, considered to be the world’s greatest marathoner who achieved a mind-blowing time of 1:59:40 in the Vienna 26.2 mile race.
Buy now £39.56, Healf
Humantra Hydration Hack - Elderberry
Not your typical electrolytes, Humantra offers its nutrient-packed drink mix in unusual but tempting flavour combinations for those looking to add intrigue to their hydrating practices. The delicious line-up includes Elderberry, Lime, Berry Pomegranate and Rose, all of which are sugar-free and contain less than five calories per drink.
While quenching your thirst, the brand offers the benefits of six essential electrolytes with every sip; potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and phosphorus that work in tandem to maintain normal levels of fluid, help with healthy muscles and bones and support the kidney’s waste-filtering function.
Buy now £24.75, Healf
waterdrop Microdrink Set Hydration Tablets
Incorporating drinking water into your daily routine is made easy with the help of waterdrop. The Austria-born brand will elevate the taste of the contents of your reusable water bottle through its compact cube that dissolves to infuse it with the taste of natural fruits that are brimming with vitamins. The hydration tablets are free from sugar and contain as few as four calories per serving. There is also no artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives but you get the benefits of vitamins B and C.
There is even a cola flavour that will satisfy your fizzy drink craving with no sugar or calories.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Rejuvenated H3O Hydration
Are you always parched? Call on Rejuvenated’s H3O Hydration to take your quenching to the next level. One scoop of the powder should be added to around a glass of water or a similar beverage to incorporate ionic minerals into your diet to tackle dehydration, reaching the stomach wall faster. Hyaluronic acid is also included, which is beloved in the skincare industry for its ability to plump and smooth the skin and antioxidant-rich Resveratrol to protect against the effects of environmental stressors on the complexion.
Buy now £27.50, Cult Beauty
Phizz 3-in-1 Hydration, Electrolytes & Vitamins
Best for: daily use
Think of Phizz like taking your daily Berocca, except with even more added benefits. Unlike other effervescent tablets on the market, Phizz functions as both a daily multivitamin as well as a fantastic rehydration remedy. The brand’s science-backed formula helps to triple water intake, deliver natural energy, and support the day-to-day workings of your immune system.
There are four flavours to choose from, including your classic orange, apple and blackcurrant, mixed berry, and mango. Simply pick whichever flavour tickles your fancy on any given morning, pop it into a bottle of water and be on your merry way. Phizz is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and is halal, dairy, soy, and gluten-free. It also doesn’t contain any artificial colours or flavours. Good stuff.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Vitamin Well
Available in five fruit-infused flavours, Vitamin Well’s functional flavoured drink does so much more than refresh the senses.
The brand is home to five different wellness-boosting non-carbonated heroes including ‘Elevate’ (B12, folic acid, magnesium, zinc), ‘Enhance’ (vitamin C, B6, niacin, pantothenic acid) and ‘Hydrate’ (vitamin C, D, zinc and biotin) which are all filled to the brim with replenishing vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
Our favourite option is the zingy lemon and lime Reload, which contains magnesium as well as vitamins B12 and D. Low-calorie and housed in a 100 per cent recyclable bottle, Vitamin Well is geared towards both professional and casual athletes looking for a delicious and hydrating vitamin drink for their daily post-workout routine.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier – Electrolyte Drink Mix, Lemon Lime
Best for: replenishing after a night out
An incredibly popular rehydration remedy amongst our friends across the pond, Liquid I.V. is known to most as a hangover godsend. This is because Liquid IV is powered by an innovative technology known as CTT – otherwise known as Cellular Transport Technology. CTT is the optimal ratio of sodium, potassium, glucose, and water which works to deliver replenishing mineral salts and hydration rapidly into your bloodstream. According to Liquid I.V., CTT hydrates you 2-3 times faster and more efficiently than water alone.
Buy now £28.95, Amazon
Science In Sport Hydro Hydration Tablets
For athletes or long-distance runners, Science In Sport (SiS) is likely a brand that you are very familiar with. The label is known for its pre, during and post-exercise fuel, including the renowned energy gels.
Packed with vitamin C, this is an electrolyte boost that is made to be consumed alongside water. The effervescent tablets dissolve to improve hydration levels, while also giving you the benefits of iron, sodium and vitamin C. It supports your immune system through high-intensity activities.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Berocca Immuno Effervescent Tablets Orange Flavour 15s
Long a staple part of the post-night out cure kit, Berocca puts much-needed electrolytes and essential vitamins and minerals back into your body, including both vitamin C and B. Rachel Clarkson, registered dietitian at The DNA Dietitian explains that the formula “gives a heavy dose of vitamin C – a potent anti-oxidant that fights off free radicals that may be caused by drinking”.
Buy now £8.10, Boots
Dioralyte
This essential powdered formula is ideal when travelling to exotic locations to counteract upset tummies as it is recommended to replace lost salt and minerals – and the same is true for hangovers.
The Pharmacist Shamir Patel explains, “This can help you to feel better and have more energy, and this is especially effective if you have been sick or nauseous.” It is also confirmed by London’s leading nutritionist Lily Soutter who adds that the “electrolyte solution will help to rehydrate the body and replace lost fluids after drinking.”
Buy now £4.09, Amazon
