Monday, February 17, 2014

Sports Drinks Or Plain Water: Which Is Best For Proper Hydration?

By James Spann


We are all aware that proper hydration is one of the most significant parts of healthy exercising. Drinking a sufficient amount of fluids prior to, during and after exercise is very important to providing your body the fluids it needs to operate properly. Dehydration can minimize your performance, lead to health issues, and make your workout very difficult.

Sip Regularly To Maintain Hydration

If you drink too much water before you feel thirsty, you can cause an upset stomach and slow yourself down. Instead, sip some water every 10 to 15 minutes for proper hydration. It's okay if you feel a little thirsty at times; this mild dehydration is not harmful. Don't wait until you are so thirsty that you are gulping down water, as that can lead to painful cramps and nausea.

There is not one-fit-for all water bottle. You have to try different ones until you find the bottle that's perfect for you. A recyclable water bottle with a squirt top makes it very simple and convenient to drink while you are exercising. If you no longer like the older plastic bottles, check out any new products like stainless and even silicone secured glass.

During Long Workouts, Use Sports Drinks For Hydration

In the past, specialists thought that both water and sports drinks gave ample hydration. However, since sports drinks also contain electrolytes and carbohydrates, people exercising for long periods of time can benefit from the replacement of key electrolytes. It is not necessary to replace electrolytes if you are not exercising for extended periods of time. However, carbohydrates do provide needed energy for the body to function. As the body uses calories, carbohydrates are needed to replace the energy that is lost. Look for sports drinks that have between 14 and 20 carbs a serving, along with electrolytes like potassium and salt.

Water Is The Best Choice On Short Workouts For Correct Hydration.

So, on workouts of HALF AN HOUR or less, water is fine for correct hydration. The take home point: you should drink water for maximum hydration, but you can mix things up a bit to suit your personal taste. The key point to remember is that the quantity of fluid is the significant factor for maintaining hydration. If you prefer the taste of sports drinks to plain water, search for low-sugar or sugar-free sports beverages. The label will inform you of the sweets content. There are both unsweetened and unnaturally sweetened alternatives in the marketplace.

Proper Hydration-Enhancing Nutrients

A very small percentage of healthy protein can benefit hydration. Don't consume too much healthy protein powder right before a workout, as this will hamper hydration. However, a tiny piece of low-fat cheese or another protein-rich snack right prior to your workout can increase the amount of water your body absorbs from whatever drink you consume.

Pick a Drink You Like

It's simply good sense. If you enjoy drinking a particular beverage, you are likely to drink more of the beverage. Ordinary water is not every person's mug of tea, in a manner of speaking. Water could be flavored with anything from lemon slices to commercially made taste drops, and there are loads of sports drinks choices. Generally, most sports drinks contain relatively few calories and are well-diluted. If you like the taste of sports drinks, by all means drink them to help maintain hydration. If you're concerned about the extra calories, dilute your sports drink with water. Inspect out a number of options for sufficient hydration that suit your personal workout and nutritional requirements.

Thirst alone is not enough to inform you of when to hydrate. In order to keep those muscles functioning and avoid muscle fatigue, it's very important to drink sufficient liquids prior to, while, and after the physical activity. Consistently, include effective hydration in your habits to accomplish your weight loss or fitness objectives.




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