A beverage composition promotes cellular hydration when ingested by a multicellular organism, and includes a carbohydrate clathrate component that includes cyclodextrin, in a concentration of 0.01-5% w/w. A complex-forming compound is also included in a concentration that is less than the clathrate component, and there is an aqueous liquid component, such as still and carbonated aqueous liquids. An inclusion complex is formed with at least some of the clathrate component and at least some of the complex-forming compound and the composition promotes cellular hydration of the multicellular organism when the multicellular organism ingests it. There is also a beverage composition that increases lifespan in the multicellular organism, and methods of promoting cellular hydration and increasing lifespan of the multicellular organism according to a mechanism of action.
