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 you require the right balance of electrolytes for your cells to use the water to hydrate you. Sodium, magmesium, calcium, and potassium are all electrolytes. So if you have been sweating a lot or not eaten well that day or week and are missing too many of those you wont be able to hydrate properly. That’s why you see sports drinks or pedialyte have them.