To rehydrate fast, drink water, but for quicker absorption, especially after exercise or illness, use Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), sports drinks, coconut water, or milk, which provide essential electrolytes (sodium, potassium) and some sugar to help your body absorb fluids more effectively than water alone, while also consuming hydrating foods like fruits and veggies.
Drinks like coconut water, sports drinks, or herbal teas can help replenish electrolytes and hydrate you. Foods with high water content, such as fruits (watermelon, oranges, strawberries) and veggies (cucumbers, celery), can also contribute to hydration.
However, if you are just trying to rehydrate efficiently and don't have symptoms of severe dehydration, the fastest option is to sip on water for one to two hours, or until you are no longer dehydrated. Adding in electrolytes or another oral hydration solution can also help you treat dehydration more quickly.
Best fluids to treat dehydration
The best clear fluids for most children with dehydration are water, apple juice mixed with water and oral rehydration solutions – either liquids or icy poles. Oral rehydration solutions give the body fluids and salts; you can buy them at supermarkets and pharmacies.
Milk is more hydrating than water
The same can be said for oral rehydration solutions that are used to treat diarrhea. Those contain small amounts of sugar, as well as sodium and potassium, which can also help promote water retention in the body.
Symptoms of dehydration
The surprising finding was discovered via a study that compared hydration from different beverages by analyzing fluid retention levels in the hours after drinking. Shockingly, both whole cow's milk and skim milk were found to be among the most hydrating beverages—even surpassing mineral water in some conditions.
Drink water, but replace fluids with a drink that contains electrolytes if you experience significant sweating or fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea. You should feel better after five or 10 minutes. Moderate: Moderate dehydration requires an IV (hydration through your vein).
If you are mildly dehydrated, you may start to feel better within 30 minutes to an hour after drinking fluids. However, it takes several hours for your body to fully rehydrate and for symptoms like thirst and fatigue to completely resolve. Moderate dehydration typically takes several hours to a day.
Start with small sips
“Anyone feeling thirsty should start with small sips of water,” Kadri said. “Gulping a full glass may cause more vomiting.” Here's how much to give: Children: Give two to three teaspoons of fluid every five minutes for three to four hours.
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Many people wonder how long it takes to pee after drinking water, but it depends on a variety of factors. Generally, it takes your body 9 to 10 hours to produce 2 cups of urine. A properly hydrated person with an almost full bladder will need to urinate between five to fifteen minutes after drinking water.
It depends on a variety of factors such as how dehydrated you are and how much water you drink at once. In general, however, it usually takes about two hours for your body to rehydrate fully after drinking a significant amount of water. As for how you should rehydrate, water is the best choice.
You can quickly check for dehydration at home. Pinch the skin over the back of the hand, on the abdomen, or over the front of the chest under the collarbone. This will show skin turgor. Mild dehydration will cause the skin to be slightly slow in its return to normal.
If you wake up in the morning feeling thirsty, you might be dehydrated. There are a few things which might be at play here, including not drinking enough the day before. The temperature overnight will also impact your hydration levels, with warm conditions meaning you will sweat overnight.
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Many fruits and vegetables – such as celery, grapes, watermelon, cucumbers, apples and berries – can help keep hydration levels up. Low-sodium soups are also great. Offer frozen options. Popsicles are fun at any age, but look for sugar-free options whenever possible.
The only way to treat dehydration is to replace lost fluids and lost electrolytes. The best way to replace lost fluids depends on age, how bad the dehydration is and its cause. For infants and children who are dehydrated from diarrhea, vomiting or fever, use water with electrolytes such as Pedialyte or Smart Water.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks.
But keep in mind this fluid intake includes everything you drink, not just water. There's fluid in all beverages and in many foods, such as fruit and soup. If you're looking to rehydrate fast, you can drink 8 oz to 12 oz of water every 15 minutes.
To fix dehydration fast, drink fluids with electrolytes like oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or watered-down sports drinks, sip small amounts frequently, and eat electrolyte-rich foods like bananas; for severe cases (vomiting/diarrhea), ORS is best, but always seek medical help immediately for severe symptoms or if the person is an infant.
The best drinks to keep you hydrated
The Bottom Line. If you're looking for ways to stay hydrated beyond drinking water, consider upping your fruit intake. Noshing on fruits like watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries not only helps you meet your daily water needs, but also boosts your intake of essential nutrients and antioxidants.
No, you generally should not drink Hydralyte or other electrolyte drinks every day as a replacement for water, as they aren't necessary for most people and can lead to excess intake of sodium and sugar, potentially raising blood pressure and causing other issues; they are best used for specific situations like intense exercise, illness (vomiting/diarrhea), or extreme heat, always following package directions and not exceeding the maximum dosage.