You are what you eat — and you are also what you drink. In fact, there’s a good chance you spend more time with a glass or mug in your hand each day than you do a plate, so it’s important to distinguish between a drink that is hydrating and good for you and one that can actually cost you — because it’s so dehydrating.
A dehydrating beverage can remove water from your body, which in turn can result in drier skin and more prominent fine lines and wrinkles. One of the keys to an anti-aging skincare routine is getting plenty of water and hydrating foods like leafy greens and fruits. Unfortunately, these four beverages — some of which may be your favorites because they are delicious — can make you parched. Here’s what you can drink instead.
Tea
We put tea first on this list because it may be the most surprising. While it’s true that tea is, literally, water, it’s also a source of caffeine, which is a diuretic that can remove water from your system. However, there’s some good news here. If you are only drinking one or two cups of tea, you shouldn’t experience much of a difference in terms of hydration. But if that’s all you are doing, it helps to add more plain water to your daily diet and less tea.
Also, some teas contain more caffeine than others. If you love tea, try swapping black, green, or oolong teas for caffeine-free herbal tea varieties.
Coffee
Like tea, coffee also has caffeine and a diuretic effect that can be dehydrating.
But, here’s the thing: most adults who consume 1-2 cups of coffee a day should be absolutely fine because the amount of caffeine in your coffee isn’t enough to cause a drastic effect. In the case of coffee, your swap doesn’t have to be decaffeinated coffee — experts say reducing your coffee intake to 300 mg, which is three 6-ounce cups, is usually safe for your health.
Soda
The triple threat of caffeine, high amounts of sugar, and sodium present in carbonated sweetened beverages contributes to its dehydrating effect. While the occasional glass of soda should be fine, making this a staple in your diet can lead to negative health effects — and there are far better drinks that will provide hydration and other benefits. One alternative is carbonated water flavored with natural ingredients like fruits, herbs, and vegetables like cucumber.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic that leads to increased urination and a decrease in water in your body. And it doesn’t take much alcohol to dry you out, as you may have experienced after a night on the town. Some symptoms of alcohol dehydration include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and extreme thirst. If you can cut down on your alcohol consumption, your body will thank you. But even when you’re kicking up your heels and celebrating with a cocktail, always keep water near by and stay sufficiently hydrated.
