Why Lemonade Isn't As Good For Hydration As You May Think

Who doesn't love a glass of lemonade? Ice-cold, crisp, and the perfect combination of sweet and sour, you can't deny that it hits the spot on a baking-hot day. But have you ever had a glass of lemonade — maybe at a baseball game or just taking a walk — and found that, for some reason, you're still really thirsty? You basically drank that lemonade in one gulp, so how can you still be so thirsty?

Although lemonade is a cold and delicious drink, it may not be the best drink for when you need immediate hydration. Although lemonade contains water as a primary ingredient — something universally considered to be a great hydrator — you have to keep in mind the other ingredients that make up lemonade as well. Sugar, for example, may give you energy, but it can actually dehydrate you through osmosis — the process in which water moves out of the cells to restore balance in the blood — causing your body's cells to need more water to replace what was lost. Because most lemonades are filled with sugar to offset the sour taste, the natural osmosis process caused by sugar may remove the hydrating benefits of the water and lemon in the beverage. Any other added sweeteners may also encourage osmosis, leading to you feeling dehydrated no matter how much lemonade you drink.

If lemonade can dehydrate you because of all the sugar in it, what exactly can you drink then that will keep you hydrated? The answer is so incredibly simple that it almost seems like a no-brainer.

Have you ever been to a hotel and, in the lobby, you see water coolers with lemon floating in them? If you order a glass of water at a restaurant, you usually get water topped with a single slice of lemon, too. It may seem like just an aesthetic choice, but it's actually because lemon water is one of the most refreshing drinks you can get. It provides the same crisp, cold taste as lemonade, but is much more refreshing since there's no osmosis effect from the sugar. And, while the lack of sugar makes this less sweet than your average glass of lemonade, should you really need a drink, you won't be complaining. Coupled with its refreshing properties, Medical News Today tells us that lemon water has 10.6 calories and 18.6 milligrams of vitamin C, making it a very nutritional and low-calorie drink.

Lemon water is also popular in restaurants because the taste of lemon helps to make the water more palatable, as some restaurants may just use tap water. However, although lemons in water do make for a good combination of flavor and refreshment, that lemon slice may not always be the best choice if you're looking to avoid any germs while eating out. Lemon slices in restaurants are less than sanitary because of how often they are handled.

Let's say that you're not too much of a fan of sour things like lemons, but you still want to get the most out of your glass of water. Fortunately, there are many ways you can make your water more hydrating and more energizing to better suit your tastes.

If you want to get more electrolytes (those minerals that help give you energy when you're working out) but want to avoid sugary drinks like Gatorade, you can add a slice of watermelon, some powdered ginger, or even some coconut water to your water. Watermelon and other types of melon, in particular, are good to add to a glass of water as they not only flavor it but the high water content of the melons can increase how much water you're drinking.

You may also want to explore different types of water, such as spring water, purified water, or even mineral water. You may even experiment with different types of bottled water to see which one can offer more electrolytes, a more favorable pH, or a better flavor. Whatever you may choose, if you're sweetening up your water with some lemon or searching for the most purified water out there, you should always keep hydration — and your health — in mind.