Fluid intake regimen

Hello,

I would like to ask whether beverages such as coffee, black tea, and broths should be included in the hydration regimen. There are varying opinions on this matter, so I would like to know your perspective. Personally, I would include them, even though coffee and tea have mild diuretic effects. I know people who barely drink water, only coffee and tea.

Thank you.

In the hydration regimen, fluids that serve the purpose of hydrating the body are typically included. However, this definition is not entirely straightforward, as, for example, coffee or tea contain substances with diuretic effects, which do not align with the concept of complete hydration. The issue with these beverages is that they do not have a diuretic effect on everyone, and their diuretic impact is highly individual. In such situations, it is naturally challenging to generalize, but these drinks are generally included in the hydration regimen (a similar issue arises with beverages containing alcohol). Broths are also usually considered part of the hydration regimen, but they are burdened by the factor of osmolality—if their "density" (i.e., nutrient content) is too high, they are categorized as food, not a fluid intended for hydration.

Hello,
I would like to ask whether it is suitable from a digestion perspective to drink during a meal, or whether it is better to drink only after eating. This is assuming that the food is always sufficiently chewed, and drinking therefore does not replace the saliva in the mouthful.
Thank you.

The answer is not straightforward because the outcome is influenced by several essential factors:

1. The salt content in the food - if your plate contains a salty dish, the need for fluid intake will quickly increase due to the sodium content, which binds water in the intercellular space. This is not the case with sweet variants for understandable reasons.

2. The level of hydration of the body before eating - consuming food when the body lacks fluids will always lead to the need to drink during the meal.

3. Health status - fluid intake during food consumption will always be less burdensome for a healthy person. It will be problematic mainly for individuals with digestive disorders (dyspepsia), as fluid intake can dilute digestive and enzymatic juices, which in such situations can complicate the health condition.

Hello,

I am interested in the hydration habits for children. Can diluted juices be used, for example, as a "motivation" to encourage hydration if children refuse to drink? Especially during the hot summer days. Alternatively, what else is suitable to use in such cases if I am not currently using a fruit and vegetable juicer?

Thank you.

Diluting juices is a good idea when you use quality sources (preferably freshly squeezed). Keep in mind that every coin has two sides; in this case, a preference for sweet taste strengthens the relationship to sweets, which, in the context of children's hydration habits, is a dangerous habit in the long term. However, everything depends on the approach, as strict prohibitions do not yield the desired results in practice. Therefore, it makes sense to guide children toward a healthy relationship with their hydration habits and sweet tastes – always prioritizing the quality of the ingredients (foods) used.