José Manuel Felices, physician: "Never drink beer or soft drinks to quench your thirst; they delay the hydration you need."

Drinking an ice-cold beer or a soft drink with ice seems, at first glance, the perfect solution for quenching thirst on a hot day. However, according to doctor José Manuel Felices, this choice can be a mistake if what we're really looking for is hydration. In a video he shared on social media, the specialist warned that these drinks, far from helping, can actually delay the body's hydration process.

Felices explains that the main problem with beer lies in its alcohol content. “Alcohol inhibits the production of the antidiuretic hormone,” a substance responsible for regulating the amount of water we eliminate in urine. When this hormone is affected, the kidney is ordered to expel fluids instead of retaining them, causing that “unbearable urge to urinate” that many have experienced after a couple of beers.

This means that the body not only loses the beverage consumed, but may expel more fluid than it has ingested. The result: dehydration and a false sense of relief. "No matter how cold it is, beer can be counterproductive," warns the doctor, emphasizing that temperature does not compensate for the negative effects of alcohol on hydration.

The specialist also focuses on soft drinks, and not just those containing alcohol. He explains that even those that are low in calories or simply "calorie-free" can have adverse effects. The reason lies in the substances they contain, which slow the absorption of liquids in the stomach and, therefore, delay the body's hydration process.

Added to this is an additional factor: caffeine. "If they contain caffeine, we'll lose water," warns Felices. This stimulant acts as a diuretic, increasing urine production and, consequently, promoting fluid loss. In other words, drinking a caffeinated soft drink when you're thirsty is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline: not only does it not help, but it can actually make the situation worse.

The doctor doesn't demonize these products, but he does recommend consuming them with full knowledge of their effects. "There are other reasons that might lead you to decide to enjoy a soft drink or a beer, but make your decision based on reliable information," he points out. The key is not to confuse pleasure with hydration: enjoying the taste or the social moment is one thing, but thinking that these beverages perform the same function as water is quite another.

Felices points out that when the goal is to replenish fluids, there's an undisputed winner: water. It contains no added sugars, alcohol, or stimulants that disrupt fluid balance, and its absorption is rapid and effective. Furthermore, drinking water regularly throughout the day helps prevent dehydration before the sensation of thirst sets in.

One of the reasons many people turn to beer or soft drinks on hot days is the immediate cooling sensation. The carbonation, ice, or the temperature of the beverage provides instant relief to the mouth and throat, but this effect is purely temporary. The problem is that, after a few minutes, the body may find itself with less available fluid than before drinking it.

Therefore, although these products may be part of a balanced diet and during leisure time, experts insist that they should not replace water as the primary source of hydration. Even during physical exercise, after spending time in the sun, or after a heavy meal, water remains the safest and most effective option for replenishing fluids.