Is Drinking Plain Water Necessary to Prevent Dehydration?
Consumers are regularly and urgently advised to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration and to promote overall good health. It is not uncommon to read in the consumer literature that mild to moderate dehydration is rampant, and that water consumption is necessary to promote adequate hydration. Many consumers take the advice to mean that water is the only appropriate fluid, or at least that caffeine-containing beverages do not “count” toward their eight glasses per day goal. Beverages Providing 70% of Total Beverages in Both Trials Orange juice Coffee Caloric, caffeinated cola Non-caloric, non-caffeinated cola Note: Beverages provided in equal amounts. Most of the subjects lost some weight during both trials (mean loss of 0.5 kg and 0.6 kg during Trials A and B, respectively), but there was no significant difference in weight change between the two trials. There were also no significant differences in urine volume; osmolality; levels of the electrolytes sodium
