21 Aug 2013 Scientists discover how to hydrate beer

Alcohol increases dehydration and may result in a hangover but researchers from Griffith University’s Health Institute may have answered every beer lover’s prayers. By adding electrolytes, a common ingredient found in sports drinks, and reducing the alcohol content could make a beer more refreshing than ever.

As part of the study, the Institute manipulated the electrolyte levels of two commercial beers, one that was regular strength and one that was light. They then gave those two beers to volunteers who had been heavily exercising just before consumption to test their fluid recovery.

The study showed that the light beer that had been combined with electrolytes was one third more effective at hydrating a person than a regular beer. The best news for beer drinkers was that the taste of the modified beverages didn’t change.

Associate Professor Ben Desbrow said, “Of the four different beers the subjects consumed, our augmented light beer was by far the most well retained by the body, meaning it was the most effective at re-hydrating the subjects.”

Whilst of course the researchers don’t recommend drinking beer after rigorous exercise, Professor Desbrow suggests that it is more effective to tell people how to minimise dehydration than to tell them not to drink at all. This new enhanced beer may well be a stepping-stone into finding hangover cures for other types of alcohol.

Source: Australian Times.co.uk