Drinks That Dehydrate You

Have you been feeling dehydrated lately? Your body could be telling you to take a break from sugary and caffeinated beverages and instead indulge in some good old-fashioned H2O. Which drinks are the leading dehydration culprits? Read on to find out!

Caffeinated Beverages

Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks cause dehydration. Most of them have mild diuretic effects, which means you urinate them out almost as fast as you consume them. If you drink too much caffeine, you may exhibit dehydration, like headaches and dry mouth.

Hot Cocoa

One cup of hot cocoa contains more calories and sugar than a can of soda. But on the bright side, the chocolatey beverage is usually a treat in the wintertime, when you’re consuming more soups and stews, which are super hydrating.

Protein Shakes

They may be trendy, but too many protein shakes can cause dehydration. When the body converts protein to energy, it requires more water to metabolize than other foods – and it takes that water from wherever it can in the body.

Fruit Juices

Fruit juices are mainly composed of sugar. That’s why experts recommend “cutting it” with water (half juice, half water). Once processed, most fruit juices lose their purported nutrients, and all that’s left is sugar.

Lemonade

On a hot day, you may crave a refreshing glass of lemonade, but unfortunately, the sour beverage is packed with sugar. To stay hydrated, try watering down the lemonade, or, better yet, simply add a few lemon slices to your water.