Hydrating Beer: New Brew Carries Electrolytes

Scientists didn't think it was humanly possible, but thanks to a newly manufactured frosty glass of beer, alcoholics can enjoy in excess while worrying less about a headache in the morning.

Thanks to Australian researchers, they've created something purely magical: A hydrating beer. How did they do this? They added a little ingredient commonly found in sports drinks that's known to help rehydrate the body during gut-wrenching physical activity--electrolytes. (And to think, no one thought of this sooner! Some of the most stupid yet strenuous activity is done while drunk.)

But there's a catch. In order to accurately fulfill the hydration requirement, scientists had to eliminate some of the alcoholic content.

The team from Griffith University's Health Institute recently worked to modify ingredients found in four different varieties of beer, including two commercial types and one average strength and light brew. Fortunately, they found that the alternations for the drink didn't greatly alter the taste of the drink.

"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 rehydrating the subjects," said Ben Desbrow in a statement, an associate professor who led the study.

The beer was also reported to be more than one-third more effective at hydrating beer lovers than regular hops.

And then, of course, if you prefer regular beer, you can always stick to gulping down a big bottle of water at the end of the night. Your choice.

More information regarding this hydrating drink can be found in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.