The Best Drinks to Stay Hydrated and Healthy

Water is a necessity while embarking on a journey. While it does its job, there are other beverages with extra benefits.

You are about 60% water. Going more than two days without it can prove to be fatal. With pressure from different companies trying to claim their drink is superior, terms like “electrolytes” and “probiotics” are commonly brought up.

There are many different ways to stay hydrated while on the go. It’s easy to slip a water bottle or Gatorade into your bag before you head out. But do these sports drinks or other types of beverages provide a significant advantage over the former? Let’s dive deeper.

Introduction to Beverage Lingo

Many companies try and persuade you to buy their products with terms like “electrolytes” and “probiotics”, but what does this lingo actually mean? Time to elaborate.

Electrolytes are chemical compounds and minerals that create ions in bodily fluids. This is important for keeping adequate hydration as they keep your body running smoothly. A lack of electrolytes can lead to muscle fatigue and soreness. So electrolytes are always a good thing. Especially for vigorous exercise.

Probiotics are living bacteria that increase efficiency within the body. With digestive improvements and healing within the gut, probiotics are definitely good to have.

Antioxidants are particles that protect your body against free radicals, particles that emit radiation. These can prevent cell damage or even cancer from mutations caused by these free radicals. Vitamins C and E are both antioxidants. These can prevent damage caused by being around radioactive materials, which can be produced naturally.

Caffeine is a stimulant that reacts with the central nervous system that increases mental alertness. It can be useful in situations but is not too great for your body with excessive use because of a raised blood pressure and heart rate. Addiction can prevent your body from functioning properly without sufficient levels of caffeine including symptoms like nausea.

Sugar is also something to look out for. They are carbohydrates which provide your body with energy. In excess, they build up in fat.

Here are some of the best drinks for your body;

Gatorade

Gatorade is a sports drink that is efficient at replacing lost electrolytes. It has a relatively high amount of sugar but is still refreshing for long workout sessions. It also has no nutritional value other than a small amount of vitamin C and some electrolytes like potassium and sodium.

Propel

Similar to Gatorade and Powerade, Propel is electrolyte-infused flavored water. It also has copious amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin C and sodium. Propel is an exceptional beverage for exercise and virtually anything else as it contains no calories, but is somewhat high in sodium.

Bai

Bai is a tea infused with antioxidants from the coffee fruit. This also means that it contains caffeine, but not a large amount. The tea also contains a fair amount of vitamin C with almost no sugar. All around Bai is a healthy substitute to water with no real consequences.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a tea rich in antioxidants, like Bai, but is fermented to contain tons of probiotics. As a side effect of the fermentation process, there is a little bit of alcohol. This drink is good for improving health in the gut, but not so much during physical activity.

LIFEWTR

Literally just water. With calcium. The focus of this is on the artwork and creativity behind the bottle. But hey, water is good for you.

Green Tea

Green tea is one of the best things you can put in your body. On multiple occasions, green tea has been proven to increase brain function, reduced risk of cancer, and many many other benefits. Green tea is also extremely accessible as it can be found in a powder for ease of brewing. Pour it in and stir.