Why does sodium-heavy liquids like pickle juice, chicken noodle soup, or saline hydrate you better than regular water when you’re dehydrated, but salt water dehydrates you?

Question

Why does sodium-heavy liquids like pickle juice, chicken noodle soup, or saline hydrate you better than regular water when you’re dehydrated, but salt water dehydrates you?

In: 925

Answer 1

Because of how your body absorbs water. Your colon is a very intelligent organ, and avoids absorbing pure water (cause that’d burst your cells). Instead, it absorbs it in a for that’s close to the body’s plasma. This generally means electrolyte impurities, like sodium. So essentially, pure water is not particularly welcome in your body, add some minerals and your body eat that up like a sponge.

PS: If anyone tells you to take more water that you feel your body needs, don’t do it. Too much water can and does damage your kidneys.