Juice, milk, tea, broth—they all count. Even beer counts, though with a penalty. Alcohol suppresses your anti-diuretic hormone, making you pee out more fluid than you took in. So one beer might actually dehydrate you by half a beer’s worth. Pro tip: have a glass of water for every beer, and your hangover will send a thank-you note.
How Much Water Should You Drink Daily To Keep Hydrated?
Sugary sodas? They count for fluid, but they also bring a sugar circus into your bloodstream. Your body treats high-fructose drinks like a corrupt accountant: it stores the sugar, then cries for water. Best to stick to real stuff.
The Funniest Thing Your Body Does
Your body has a built-in water tank called the “glymphatic system” in your brain. It literally flushes waste fluids while you sleep. Skimp on water, and your brain gets a clogged toilet. You wake up groggy and grumpy, assuming it’s just Monday, but really it’s untreated dehydration.
I once went 48 hours barely drinking anything while hiking—my pee turned the color of iced tea, and I hallucinated a talking gnome. True story? Maybe not, but the point is: don’t be a hero. Drink. Water. Please.
