Drinking enough water every day has many benefits for your health, and for your plasma donation!   A well hydrated donor can expect an easier venipuncture and a faster donation.  Proper hydration can help regulate body temperature (less deferrals for temperature deviation), prevent infections (less missed donations due to sickness) and even help deliver nutrients to cells (for a faster recovery).

Experts recommend drinking roughly 11 cups of water per day for the average woman and 16 for men.¹   Although drinking water is the easy solution, there are many beverages that will help to keep you hydrated and some that will not.  Below is a list of the best and worst fluids for hydration:

The beverages listed in the “WORST” columns contain either concentrated sugar, alcohol or caffeine.  Each of these can have a diuretic effect in the body, flushing water from the body and contributing to dehydration.  Drinking a beverage (or two) from the “BEST” column will help to keep your body hydrated and result in a better donation experience.

Sources:

1. hsph.harvard.edu: ”The importance of Hydration”