Water VS Sport Drinks - Jin's Health Tips

I'm sure that you have definitely walked past the beverage section of a supermarket and saw a lot sports drinks on the shelf and wondered if they are really better than plain water. In addition, there are so many types of sports drinks in the market that you might not be buying the one suitable for you.

The main reason why we drink when we exercise is to rehydrate ourselves from all the water loss through our perspiration. In addition to losing water, electrolytes and carbohydrates are lost when we exercise all well. That is the very reason why sports drinks existed.

How do you choose your sports drinks?

Primarily, there are three types of Sports Drinks. They are namely hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic.

• Hypotonic: "Hypo-", meaning less, suggests that the liquid is less concentrated as compared to the body. Therefore, it promotes a better uptake of water into our body.

• Isotonic: "Iso-", meaning same, suggests that the beverage has the same concentration as body fluids. It not only hydrates the body but also replenish the electrolytes and carbohydrates in the body. Jin's Health Tips feels that this is the most suitable if your exercise duration is more than 60mins.

• Hypertonic: "Hyper-", meaning more, suggests that liquid is more concentrated than the the body. Jin's Health Tips suggests that you only use hypertonic drinks as a post exercise drink to replenish your energy and replenish lost as it doesn't serve the purpose of hydration.

Water, being Hypotonic to body fluids, are being well absorbed into the body during exercise. It is certainly a very good choice for almost any exercises. Moreover, it is cheap and most readily available.

Which ever drink that you choose, Jin's Health Tips urges you to have proper hydration during exercise to prevent yourself from heat injuries.

If you do have any queries, do feel free to email Jin's Health Tips at tanjinlin@gmail.com

Above picure taken from nextgenerationfood.com