Why does a slightly sweet drink do a better job of quenching your thirst than plain water?
In: Chemistry
Sugar has a synergistic effect with sodium ions and water in solution, enabling all three to be transported into the cells easier and faster than if they were separate.
We have a special class of transporters in our cells responsible for shuttling glucose and sodium together across the cell membrane that require both to be present in order to work. Water molecules hitch a ride on the back and get transported into the cell, basically through the back door.
Or, to put it another way- Sodium and Glucose meet up at the club (the cell) and see Water waiting in line out front. Water seems cool (r/hydrohomies knows) so they bring him with them into the VIP entrance around back.
This is much quicker and more direct route than the water diffusing into the cell through osmosis, therefore you feel hydrated faster.
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