The Study
A randomized trial modeling the effects of solutions with low to moderate glycerol and sodium concentrations on fluid balance in healthy, active adults.
This study gave different drinks to 37 healthy people and saw which ones helped them keep more water in their bodies. It shows that certain amounts of glycerol and salt in drinks are linked to better fluid balance, but it doesn't prove it works the same way for everyone.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists tested different drinks to see which one helps your body hold onto water the best after you drink it.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 573 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — these drinks reduced body mass loss by up to 0.3% more than water, meaning your body held onto more fluid, which could help prevent dehydration during activity.
- 2Drinks with at least 1.5% glycerol or 25 mM sodium kept more water in the body than plain water.
- 3The best drink had both 0.75% glycerol and 15 mM sodium.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Year
2025
Authors
Lindsay B. Baker, J. Hinkley, Michał Ozga, Shelby L. Alfred, James R. Merritt, P. D. De Chavez
Related Content
Claims (6)
Drinking a beverage with at least 0.75% glycerol and at least 15 mM sodium results in less body mass loss over 210 minutes compared to a placebo in healthy, active adults, indicating better retention of fluids.
Drinking beverages with at least 1.5% glycerol leads to less loss of body mass over 210 minutes after consumption compared to drinking a placebo, which indicates greater fluid retention in the body.
Drinking beverages with at least 25 mM sodium leads to less loss of body weight over 210 minutes than drinking a placebo, which means more fluid is retained in the body.
In healthy, active adults, the amount of glycerol consumed and the time elapsed after ingestion together determine how much fluid the body retains, with fluid retention increasing steadily over the first 210 minutes.
In healthy, active adults, the amount of sodium consumed and the time since consumption together determine how much fluid the body retains, with fluid retention increasing during the first 210 minutes after sodium intake.
Drinks that contain electrolytes, carbohydrates, and food components hold more fluid in the body over four hours than plain water.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.