The effect of caffeinated, non-caffeinated, caloric and non-caloric beverages on hydration.

Grandjean AC, Reimers KJ, Bannick KE, Haven MC.

The Center for Human Nutrition, Omaha 68105, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of various combinations of beverages on hydration status in healthy free-living adult males.
METHODS: In a counterbalanced, crossover manner, 18 healthy adult males ages 24 to 39, on four separate occasions, consumed water or water plus varying combinations of beverages. Clinical guidelines were used to determine the fluid allowance for each subject. The beverages were carbonated, caffeinated caloric and non-caloric colas and coffee. Ten of the 18 subjects consumed water and carbonated, non-caffeinated, citrus soft drink during a fifth trial. Body weight, urine and blood assays were measured before and after each treatment. RESULTS: Slight body weight loss was observed on all treatments, with an average of 0.30% for all treatments. No differences (p>0.05) among treatments were found for body weight changes or any of the biochemical assays. Biochemical assays conducted on first voids and 24-hour urines included electrolytes, creatine, osmolality and specific gravity. Blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, hematocrit. electrolytes, osmolality, urea nitrogen, creatinine and protein.
CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study found no significant differences in the effect of various combinations of beverages on hydration status of healthy adult males. Advising people to disregard caffeinated beverages as part of the daily fluid intake is not substantiated by the results of this study. The across-treatment weight loss observed, when combined with data on fluid-disease relationships, suggests that optimal fluid intake may be higher than common recommendations. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to explore optimal fluid intake for healthy individuals.

OK, so if I get this right, and please tell me if I’m wrong, as long as you are drinking fluids you’re hydrating yourself. But we all need to be drinking more in general.

Bree

I spoke to my friend in med school about the perpetual question “how much should I drink?” He answered that according to his professors, we should drink when we’re thirsty, and that will generally keep us on track.  So long as you listen to your body (and recognize the difference between hunger and thirst), you’re probably on the right track, no matter what you’re drinking.  (Well, except maybe alcohol.)

As with most things, it seems that body knows best. *grin*

Cheers,
Julie

Soda, with a water chaser please

I drink a lot of water, but I still can’t kick the diet pepsi thing.  It tastes good after a workout.
It’s really my only vice.

Lately for me its been tea. Yum! Loose leaf tea brewed in a french press.

Bree

Mm… tea.  I’m right there with you, Bree.  I think I’ve got nearly 20 types of tea at home, because they just keep accumulating.  (I drink about half of them regularly.)

Because my throat’s sore today, it’s going to be an lemon tea (herbal) with honey day for me.  (Isn’t it great to have a tea for all occasions?  *grin*)

Cheers,
Julie

Yep, I love them. Today is passion fruit tea! We keep ordering samples, but have large bags of vanilla and valentine’s (tastes like strawberries and chocolate). 

Bree