Tuesday, February 25, 2014

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

By James Spann


I:10:T We all know that when you are exercising for weight loss, receiving proper hydration is important. Severe dehydration can reduce your performance, lead to health problems over time, and just makes your workout experience less pleasant. However, newer research shows that the old ideas about how to hydrate yourself could be wrong. The new rules for hydration:

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.

A reusable water bottle with a squirt top makes it easy and convenient to sip while you work out. If older plastic bottles never did it for you, check out new materials like stainless and even silicone protected glass.

While Doing 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 Best On Short Workouts For Proper Hydration

In essence, on workouts of HALF AN HOUR or much less, water is fine for sufficient hydration. If you choose the taste of sports beverages to ordinary water and are simply looking for something to sip during a quick exercise, look for low-sugar or sugar-free sports drinks to stay away from overusing it on the basic carbohydrates. The label will tell you the sweets concentration. You can choose from unsweetened or artificially sweetened drinks.

Proper Hydration-Enhancing Nutrients

A very small amount of protein can enhance the hydration. Don't overdo it and try to chug protein powder during or right before a workout, as this will impede hydration. However, a small piece of low-fat cheese or another protein-rich snack right before your workout can increase the amount of water your body absorbs from what you drink.

Choose a Beverage You Like.

It's just good sense. We are most likely to consume a particular drink that we appreciate. Plain water is not for everybody. Water can be seasoned in various ways, and there are lots of sports beverage alternatives. Although sports drinks are well-diluted with water and contain few calories, feel free to dilute them with more water if you like the taste. Look into several alternatives for sufficient hydration that match your individual exercise and nutritional needs.

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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