When the summer arrives and the heat makes itself felt, the instinct pushes us to look for a glass of cold water to appease the thirst. On the website of the European Council of information on nutrition (in English “European Food Information Council”, abbreviated with the Euphic acronym, an organization founded in 1995) reads that We should drink at least 2.5 liters of water per day To maintain a correct water budget, a habit that many try to respect with a bottle always at hand.
So far nothing strange, we all know that drinking is good, especially in summer, yet, science tells a different story: The water, a symbol of purity and freshness, is not always the most moisturizing drink that we can choose.
To reveal it a series of studies that have compared several drinks, demonstrating how the milk is able to hydrate better than the water itself. It seems a paradox, but there is no lack of explanations and, after all, they are also quite logical.
Milk: an unexpected hydration sample
The first authoritative entry to raise this curiosity was a 2007 British study, published in Pubmed, who analyzed the effect of several drinks after sports. The results surprised many: Milk caused a lower urine production than water, maintaining a positive hydration level up to five hours after takingwhile other drinks offered a shorter moisturizing effect, limited to about an hour.
Ten years later, another study conducted at the University of Limerick, in Ireland, confirmed this observation. Also on this occasion, The milk proved to be more effective than water in maintaining hydration, thanks to the presence of nutrients such as sodium, proteins and fats who work together to slow down the loss of liquids in the body. A winning trio, which prevents the body from “drying up” as it happens easily under the scorching sun of July.
The 2016 study published on the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which has even more complete Compared 13 different drinks on a sample of 72 men. From beer to tea, passing through coffee, juices and carbonated drinks, milk – both full and skimmed – and specific rehydrating solutions have achieved the best results in terms of hydration.
Why the milk hydrates more than water?
To make the milk more moisturizing than the water is its composition. The water, being without substances that slows down its passage through the gastrointestinal tract, is absorbed and eliminated quickly by the body. On the contrary, Milk contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, as well as calories and proteins, which prolong the time of permanence of liquids in the stomach and reduce the production of urine. This means that the body holds the ingested liquids longer, ensuring more lasting hydration.
The skimmed milkin particular, stands out for thehigh ability to hydratethanks to the content of electrolytes and the presence of calories in reduced quantities compared to whole milk, without the fat component it can weigh in case of frequent consumption.
Attention to quantities and context
It is important, however, to be consumed in large quantities during the day. The studies that have highlighted the moisturizing properties of milk have some limits, including the reduced size of the samples and the limited duration of the tests. Furthermore, Milk brings calories and proteins Which, although contributing to hydration, can affect the daily caloric intake, aspect to be considered for those who want to hydrate without exceeding with calories.
In fact, the official recommendations continue to indicate water as the reference point for correct hydration. No drink should replace it completely, even if Milk can represent a valid ally in specific situationsas after an intense physical activity, but also in periods of extreme heat, when the risk of dehydration increases.
Water or milk, which one to choose?
Faced with this discovery, the question arises spontaneously: water or milk, which drink to choose to remain hydrated? The best answer lies in balance. The water remains indispensablesimple and calorie -free, perfect for constant daily consumption, mind milkthanks to the ability to retain liquids in the body longer, It can prove useful at certain momentsespecially for those who need an energy charging that also offers effective hydration.
During the hottest days, A glass of fresh milk could support the waterwithout completely replacing it, ensuring a prolonged hydration of hydration without having to resort to sugary or carbonated drinks.
In summary: Water represents the pillar of daily hydration, The milk earns the title of incredibly moisturizing drinkcapable of offering a precious contribution especially when the heat pushes to sweat more and the risk of dehydration becomes more concrete. So, why not alternate themtaking advantage of the qualities of both to keep the body hydrated and ready to face the summer?
