Trends In Hydration – Your Go To Guide

Sport

By: , 2022-09-04

Lets face it if you want to perform or feel good you have to make sure you’re properly hydrated. But what exactly does that mean? There is so much new knowledge on hydration and old foundational advice which has stood the test of time but what will make you feel the best? Read on to discover the latest trends in all things hydration and how it may be of benefit to you.

Our Bodies Are Made Between 45% and 75% Of Water 1

Incredible to think just how much volume of our bodies weight is carried by water. This is why it’s so important to ensure we are topped up as our bodies use a lot of water on a day to day basis. Cells require adequate hydration in order to function properly and perform at their best. When we are dehydrated, our cells are not working as efficiently as they could be.

We Lose Water Through Breathing, Sweating, And Going To The Bathroom

The average person loses around 400ml of water just by breathing each day let alone extended training sessions or sweating.2 Replacing this is important but there are different models to making sure we’re properly hydrated. Some people believe just drinking 8 glasses of water a day is enough to offset any forms of dehydration but new research may suggest this is not right. Hydration doesn’t just come down to how much water you can drink but also how much hydration your cells can intake with electrolytes.

The Incredible Importance Of Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. These charges help to balance the water in and around your cells. electrolytes minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and phosphate.3 When you become dehydrated, these electrolytes are lost as well making it harder for your cells to function properly until they are replaced. In order to properly replenish yourself its important to add enough electrolytes to your water as well as pure H2O.

There are many drinks on the market that have electrolytes but adding a little pinch of Himalayan salt to your next glass of water may do the trick. Drinking too much water without electrolytes can actually lead to a decrease in hydration as it dilutes the electrolyte concentration in your blood. This can lead to a condition known as hyponatremia or water intoxication.

Is Coconut Water A Good Choice?

Coconut water has become a popular choice for many people when it comes to hydration. It’s often called “nature’s Gatorade” as it contains electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. This water is best drank after a session as it replenishes minerals lost during physical activity. Water is essential for our survival and it’s important to be up to date on the latest trends in order to make sure we’re properly hydrated. By understanding the importance of electrolytes, we can see why coconut water has become a popular choice among athletes and health-conscious individuals.

How Does Potassium Affect Your Muscles?

Potassium is one of the electrolytes lost when we sweat and it’s important to replace it in order to maintain proper hydration. Potassium is a mineral that helps to control the electrical activity of the heart, as well as muscle contractions. When we are potassium-deficient, we may experience cramping, fatigue, and weakness. Coconut water is a good source of potassium and can help to replenish electrolytes after a workout.

How Does Magnesium Affect Your Muscles?

Magnesium is another electrolyte that is lost when we sweat and it’s important to replace it in order to maintain proper hydration. Magnesium helps to relax muscles and is essential for nerve function. When we are magnesium-deficient, we may experience cramping, fatigue, and weakness. Coconut water is a good source of magnesium and can help to replenish electrolytes after a workout.

What Does Water Do In The Body?

Water is the primary building block of cells and this compound can also help to lubricate joints. Drinking enough water each day is essential for proper cell function and to prevent dehydration. Water is required to metabolise fat and to transport nutrients throughout the body. When we are dehydrated, we may experience fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, and dizziness. Water also metabolises protein and carbohydrates which is important in delivering enough energy for an exercising individual.

Closing Thoughts On Hydration Trends

As you can see drinking enough water but also replenishing electrolytes is vital in order to maintain proper hydration. There are many drinks on the market that can help you to do this but coconut water has become a popular choice among many people. This water contains electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals which are essential for our bodies to function properly. Next time you’re looking for a hydration drink, consider coconut water as it may help you to avoid dehydration.

Reference:

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sdi.12721
  2. https://www.quora.com/How-much-water-does-a-person-lose-in-a-day-through-breathing?share=1
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123/#_NBK541123_pubdet_10_1
Large Logo