An expert has claimed this common drink could already be in your fridge at home
A top nutrition expert has warned that your body can start drying out before you’re even properly sweating. With the weather heating up across the UK, people are being reminded that reaching for water
Verónica Chazín, speaking on Spanish radio show ‘Herrera en COPE’, said the body is battling to keep its core temperature at 37 °C during intensely hot weather – and all that behind-the-scenes effort can drain fluids faster than people realise. The important message is not to wait until you feel rough before you act.
In a twist that’ll make water lovers do a double take, Chazín said plain water isn’t actually the best for keeping you hydrated. She claims a common drink in most UK fridges could be a better solution for people wanting to stay the most hydrated.
She said: “Although water is the hydrating drink par excellence, it is not the one that hydrates us the most.” For some, research suggests that milk can keep hydration levels up for longer.
Verónica added that milk’s mix of protein, carbs and minerals help our stomachs to cling on for longer, when compared to plain water. Coconut water and isotonic drinks also score well when it comes to staying topped up in soaring temperatures.
The NHS claims that water is “a healthy and cheap choice to keep you hydrated”, but backs the idea of adults drinking lower-fat milk, such as semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed milk and unsweetened plant-based drinks to help with hydration needs.
It is important to bear in mind that milk is not suitable for everyone to drink. Key groups who should avoid or limit regular cow’s milk include infants under one year old, people with lactose intolerance, and individuals with a milk protein allergy (like casein or whey).
What you eat matters too
Verónica highlighted water-heavy produce to help you keep cool, with watermelon leading the way. People could also top this up with things like cucumber, melon, pineapple and tomatoes.
She also warned against living on “just salad” unless it’s actually got some proper fuel in it. Her advice was to add protein like salmon, tuna or eggs, and she also suggested legume-based salads to keep meals balanced without feeling heavy.
Alternatively, she advised skipping the kind of meals that sit in your stomach. Things like rich, fatty dishes and big, heavy plates that make digestion work overtime and crank up your internal heat.
Alcohol got a clear thumbs-down too, because it doesn’t “help” hydration at all. Verónica said “It’s not just that alcohol doesn’t hydrate me, it actually dehydrates”.
As for signs you’re already running low, she listed headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and a dry mouth. Another clue your body is waving a red flag is if your urine is dark and you’re going less often.
People shouldn’t wait for those alarms to start drinking, and Verónica suggested having water every hour or two, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
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