Water is the first and foremost medicine.
Water is often forgotten nutrient requirement. Human being can live for sometime without food but not without water. Water is most essential for all metabolic processes in our body.
Dehydration is a progressive fluid loss from the body. It can be as a result of
- High intensity workout(HIIT – High intensity interval training)
- Prolonged exposure to heat
- Less intake of fluid especially during travels
- Athletic activities causing lot of sweating and loss of electrolytes.
Dehydration is known to reduce the oxygen capacity of the body which includes fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbances.
To overcome dehydration or in other words to rehydrate we need water and electrolytes. As water and electrolytes are most important for the maintenance of fluid balance in the body. This combination is called as electrolyte drink.
For athletes and high intensity workout people, rehydration solutions are designed to replace fluid and minerals lost by sweating and also limited amount of energy in the form of carbohydrates. The addition of carbohydrates (sugar) is known to stimulate drinking, water absorption, helps in water balancing and help reduce fatigue and maintain performance.
Rehydration drinks are water with/without rich amount of carbohydrates for quick energy and electrolytes to ensure optimum body functions. Depending on the percentage combination of each they are categorised into three groups:
Let’s understand more about different types of hydration/rehydration drinks for different age groups. Like for example ORS, electrolyte drink, isotonic, hypertonic, hypotonic, protein water, work-out drinks, detox drinks, infused water in my blog. Also adding on the most trending Zero sugar drink. Well let’s explore all these and more in the blog.
