Do you know your 'sweat score'? The 2026 World Cup is breaking new ground, with hydration breaks now a regular feature. But are they really about refuelling or just more ad time for broadcasters?

Hydration is a serious scientific concern, especially as heatwaves intensify due to climate change. A 2023 UK study found one in four adults over 65 were dehydrated, while a 2018 study by Andreas Flouris revealed that 70% of European workers were chronically dehydrated.

Enter the gadgets: from sweat monitors to smart water bottles and even toilet bowl sensors. Devices like Epicore Biosystems' wearables track every drop, while WaterH’s glowing ring reminds you to take a sip. But are these tools truly effective? Flouris is sceptical about their accuracy during varied physical activities.

Smart water bottles like WaterH use flow rate and tipping angle sensors, promising instant hydration recognition, though some users question their accuracy. Vivoo's toilet bowl gadget measures urine specific gravity to gauge hydration levels, but its effectiveness remains debated.

Hew-Butler at Wayne State University warns that such gadgets might add unnecessary anxiety about health. Are we really better off knowing every detail of our sweat and pee? Or is this just another way humanity tries to measure itself?