Exploring What Liquids Can Humans Drink Other Than Water

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

While water is unequivocally the best option for hydration, most people's daily fluid intake includes a wide variety of other beverages. Many factors, including taste preference, nutritional needs, and energy requirements, drive the consumption of alternative drinks. Understanding what liquids can humans drink other than water is key to making informed, health-conscious choices.

Quick Summary

Humans can consume numerous liquids besides water, including milk, tea, coffee, and fruit or vegetable juices. Healthy options typically offer additional nutrients and hydration, while sugary or caffeinated drinks should be consumed in moderation due to potential health risks. Consideration of nutritional content, additives, and hydration benefits is crucial for balancing a healthy diet.

Key Points

Diverse Hydration Sources: Humans can stay hydrated with a variety of liquids beyond plain water, including milk, tea, and flavored waters.
Understand Sugar Content: Juices and sugary drinks, even those with natural sugars, can negatively impact health if overconsumed due to their high calorie and sugar levels.
Electrolyte Needs Vary: The average person can get sufficient electrolytes from a balanced diet, making sports drinks unnecessary for most daily activities.
Healthier Flavor Options: Infused water with fruit and herbs is an excellent, low-calorie way to add flavor and variety to your hydration.
Choose Unsweetened Varieties: For beverages like tea, coffee, and plant-based milks, choosing unsweetened versions minimizes added sugar intake and promotes better health.
Consider Context for Sports Drinks: These drinks are primarily designed for athletes in intense, prolonged exercise and can be harmful if consumed casually.
DIY Smoothies vs. Commercial Options: Homemade smoothies, which retain fiber, are generally healthier than store-bought versions that often have excessive added sugars.

Hydrating Alternatives to Plain Water

Staying properly hydrated is critical for nearly every bodily function, from regulating temperature to transporting nutrients. While plain water is the ideal choice for most situations, several other liquids can contribute to your daily fluid intake. These range from simple flavored options to more nutrient-dense beverages. A mindful approach is to consider the added calories, sugars, and potential health effects of each choice.

Fruit-Infused and Sparkling Water

One of the simplest ways to add variety to your hydration routine is with fruit-infused water. By adding slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or berries, you can create a refreshing, naturally flavored drink without the added sugars or artificial sweeteners found in many commercial beverages. Similarly, sparkling water is simply plain water infused with carbon dioxide, offering a bubbly alternative to still water. To keep it healthy, choose unflavored sparkling water and add your own fresh fruit or herbs, like mint.

Milk and Plant-Based Alternatives

Milk is a highly nutritious liquid that contains natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein, which can be particularly beneficial for replenishing fluids and energy after exercise. It is also an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. For those with lactose intolerance or who follow a plant-based diet, fortified plant-based milks like soy, almond, and oat offer similar nutritional benefits, including added calcium. When selecting plant-based options, look for fortified, unsweetened varieties to minimize added sugars.

Teas and Coffees

The myth that caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea are dehydrating has been largely debunked; the diuretic effect does not outweigh their hydrating properties over the course of a day. In moderation, both can be a healthy part of your fluid intake. Green and black teas are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which have been linked to improved heart health and reduced disease risk. Herbal teas, such as ginger or chamomile, are naturally caffeine-free and may offer additional therapeutic benefits, including aid with digestion. However, watch out for high-sugar, pre-sweetened iced teas.

The Role of Juices and Smoothies

Consuming fruit and vegetable juices can be a way to get essential vitamins and minerals, but they come with important considerations. Juices, particularly 100% fruit juice, contain concentrated amounts of natural sugars and lack the fiber of whole fruits, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. The American Heart Foundation suggests limiting 100% fruit juice to a small glass (around 125ml) per day. Smoothies, on the other hand, often include the whole fruit or vegetable, retaining the beneficial fiber. When making a smoothie, using whole, minimally processed ingredients like fresh fruit, vegetables, and unsweetened milk or yogurt is the best approach. Pre-bottled juices and smoothies often contain significant amounts of added sugar and should be consumed with caution.

Understanding Electrolyte and Sports Drinks

Electrolyte drinks are designed to replace minerals lost through heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. While beneficial for endurance athletes or during intense illness, they are not necessary for the average person and can be high in added sugars and sodium. For most daily activities, a balanced diet and plain water provide sufficient electrolytes. Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, including potassium, and is generally lower in calories and sugar than many commercial sports drinks.

Comparing Common Drink Alternatives


Beverage Type	Main Nutrients	Sugar Content	Hydration Factor	Considerations
Tap/Filtered Water	None (best baseline)	None	Excellent	Cost-effective, accessible, no calories.
Milk (Dairy)	Protein, Calcium, Vitamin D	Natural Sugars (Lactose)	Very Good	Can contain saturated fats; choose lower-fat options.
Coconut Water	Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium	Low (Natural)	Excellent	Good source of natural electrolytes; check for added sugars.
100% Fruit Juice	Vitamin C, Antioxidants	High (Natural)	Good	Lacks fiber; high in sugar; limit intake to small amounts.
Coffee/Tea (Unsweetened)	Antioxidants, Flavonoids	None	Good	Moderate intake of caffeine is generally fine; limit if sensitive.
Commercial Sports Drinks	Sodium, Potassium, Carbs	High (Added Sugars)	Excellent (for athletes)	Only necessary for prolonged, intense exercise; high in sugar.
Smoothies (Homemade)	Protein, Fiber, Vitamins	Variable	Good	Retains fiber; control ingredients to manage sugar and calories.

Conclusion

While water is the fundamental liquid for human health, a variety of other beverages can contribute to overall hydration and provide nutritional benefits. Healthy options like infused water, milk, and unsweetened teas offer flavor and nutrients without excessive sugar. Juices and commercial sports drinks should be consumed cautiously due to their higher sugar content, and are best reserved for specific circumstances or enjoyed in limited quantities. Ultimately, making conscious beverage choices that align with your health goals, activity level, and dietary needs is the best way to supplement your primary intake of water. Prioritizing plain or naturally flavored options ensures you receive adequate hydration without unwanted calories or additives. For specific dietary guidance, including appropriate electrolyte intake, always consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian.

Note: The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Key Takeaways

Hydration is Not Water-Exclusive: Many beverages contribute to daily fluid intake, including milk, teas, and juices.
Moderation is Key for Many Drinks: High-sugar options like juices and sports drinks can lead to health issues if consumed excessively.
Infused Water Offers a Healthy Twist: Adding fruits or herbs to water is a great way to add flavor without extra calories or sugar.
Electrolyte Drinks Have Specific Uses: They are primarily for intense exercise or illness, and not for casual daily consumption.
Nutritional Profiles Vary Widely: Comparing milk, juice, and other options based on sugar, calories, and nutrient content is essential for informed choices.
Caffeine is Not Massively Dehydrating: Moderate intake of coffee or tea is hydrating, although plain water remains superior for rehydration.
DIY Smoothies are a Better Choice: Making your own smoothies allows you to control ingredients, retain fiber, and avoid excessive sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, while containing caffeine, moderate consumption of coffee and tea still contributes to your daily fluid intake and hydration. The diuretic effect of caffeine does not negate its overall hydrating effect over the course of the day.

Water is the best for hydration, but milk can be a very effective alternative. Studies have shown milk can be highly hydrating due to its nutrient composition, particularly beneficial for post-exercise recovery.

In small amounts, 100% fruit juice provides vitamins and antioxidants. However, it is high in sugar and lacks the fiber of whole fruit, so it should be consumed sparingly. Fruit drinks with added sugar are even less healthy and should be limited.

Sports drinks are necessary only for athletes or individuals engaged in prolonged, intense physical activity lasting over an hour or in hot environments, as they help replenish lost electrolytes and carbs. For the average person, they are unnecessary and can be harmful due to high sugar content.

Adding fruits or herbs to water, or opting for unflavored sparkling water, is a simple way to add natural flavor without relying on artificial or high-sugar alternatives, encouraging you to drink more fluids.

Fortified plant-based milks like soy and almond milk can be good substitutes for dairy milk, especially for those with lactose intolerance. They often contain added calcium and other nutrients, but it is important to choose unsweetened varieties.

Excessive consumption of sugary drinks, including soda and many fruit juices, is linked to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Limiting these drinks significantly and opting for healthier alternatives is highly recommended.