Are some bottled water brands more hydrating than others?
I have felt that dasani is less hydrating than deer park or even my tap water. Could this be true?
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Answers ( 1 )
In terms of standard bottled water, there is almost certainly no measurable difference between their ability to actually hydrate you. They are all chemically so similar that it would be hard to make a distinction (even if their marketing says otherwise). Usually, the little differences in perception and taste have to do with subtle differences in the mineral or electrolyte content, which can vary depending on the water's source or on minerals and electrolytes added by the bottler. In some cases, there may be slight differences from the filtration process as well. But none of these are enough to make a significant difference in how much your body gets hydrated.
However, there are some drinks that can be slightly more hydrating than water. In general, a small amount of sugar, protein, or fat can slow down the water's passage through your digestive system, and increase the amount that is actually taken into your system. But you have to be careful not to have too much of those things, as it can have the opposite effect, and backfire. Similarly, a little bit of the right electrolyte content may help with absorption, but too much (or the wrong balance) can undo any subtle benefit. Optimizing for hydration if you're not actively participating in sports is probably not worth the bother.
However, what you may be perceiving or experiencing may not have to do with how hydrating the water is at all. You mention that you "have felt that Dasani is less hydrating than Deer Park or even my tap water". It's not clear what aspect made you feel this way, but there's a fair chance that the perception isn't connected to how much water your body is actually absorbing. Since the differences are very small between those brands, it's very unlikely that you'd be able to see physiological manifestations of their differences, such as changes in the viscosity of body fluids or excretions. Instead, it's more likely that some of the brands seem more refreshing or thirst-quenching than others as you drink them. Perhaps you get thirsty again sooner with some than others. Or some seem to satisfy you more than others. And that has less to do with hydration and more to do with taste and mouthfeel. Those factors are related to the filtration type and mineral content mostly.
Totally plain (distilled) water without any minerals has a surprisingly "flat" taste and isn't usually perceived as refreshing. Dasani is essentially purified tap water with some minerals added back in to improve its taste. But depending on where you live, your tap water can have very different mineral content and flavor. Deer Park, along with some other brands, is spring water that has been filtered and processed. So its mineral content is different still. None of these is objectively "better" or more hydrating, but they do taste different.
So choose the one you enjoy drinking most, since chances are it doesn't make any actual difference in your body's hydration. And if you're competing in elite sports and want to make sure you're getting as much water absorbed as possible, you may want to consult with a performance specialist who can design a drinking regimen that maximizes this aspect by including drinks with some nutritional content that stay in your gut longer and are absorbed slightly better.