Hydration

For the first time, researchers have shown how staying hydrated influences how our bodies react, hormonally, to stress, keeping cortisol in check and in turn lowering the risk of serious health conditions including heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

You might be familiar with dry mouth from partaking in a certain kind of recreational substance (or you might not be, we're not judging), but the condition can actually have verifiable medical causes. A new gel-based blob could be a great cure.

If you want to avoid becoming dangerously dehydrated, you have to drink before you start feeling thirsty. So, how do you know when to do so? According to a new study, a simple tap of your smartphone screen may soon provide the answer.

A provocative study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health has added to a growing number of studies suggesting people who don't drink enough fluids could be at greater risk of chronic disease and be more likely to die at a younger age.

A number of groups have been developing wearable devices that measure the user's hydration levels, letting them know when they're getting low. One of the latest comes to us from North Carolina State University, and it can take the form of either a wrist strap or an adhesive chest patch.​

The Vessyl, designed in conjunction with Yves Behar of Jawbone fame, is a smart mug that automatically detects and analyzes whatever beverage is poured into it. It has an inbuilt display to show the results, or it can be synched to display details on a smartphone in real time.

Beer is often quaffed in the aftermath of a day of sports, despite the ill effects resulting from dehydration. However, a group of Australian Public Health researchers have now found that the bad effects of alcohol can be eased by adding a pinch of sodium to your beer.