Electrolytes are lost faster in winter! Can drinking just water improve acid-base imbalance? Nutritionists recommend "1 drink" for effective absorption
Sports drinks are not just for sports? Can’t you truly “quench your body’s thirst” by just drinking water?
Can sports drinks be consumed only after exercise? In fact, in winter, we should use sports drinks to replenish the body’s missing water? Dietitian Gao Minmin said in a social post that even though the weather is cold in autumn and winter and people’s physical activity is significantly reduced, this does not mean that the body’s water has not been lost. For adults, up to 2.5 liters of water are lost every day due to sweating, breathing, and metabolism, which may often be higher than the amount of water an adult drinks in a day.
However, just replenishing water cannot replace the electrolytes lost by the body. Nutritionist Gao Minmin explained that electrolytes are charged ions dissolved in water and are an important component of water in the body. Their main function is to maintain the balance of water and pH in the body. If the electrolytes in the body are imbalanced, the water and pH will also be imbalanced. At this time, the more water you drink, the thirstier you will feel, and the water you drink will be excreted from the body, unable to truly “quench the body’s thirst.”
In addition, the “caffeine” component in the tea and coffee that Taiwanese people love to drink is easy to diuretic, which in turn accelerates the excretion of water from the body. Other commercially available sugary drinks are prone to “cracking calories”, causing health concerns. Therefore, nutritionist Gao Minmin emphasizes that “sports drinks” can not only quickly replenish lost water, but also replenish electrolytes at the same time, and do not necessarily have to be replenished after sweating during exercise.
Can sports drinks also be “brewed”? Nutritionist reveals the “4 major advantages” of powder packaging
However, it is currently winter, and most of the sports drinks on the market are refrigerated or bottled at room temperature. Dietitian Gao Minmin said that sports drinks in “powder form” are now available, just like brewing chocolate or milk powder. As long as you add an appropriate amount and brew with warm water, you can drink it immediately. In addition, brewed sports drinks also have the following benefits:
It is more convenient to carry. Compared with bottled sports drinks, small packages are more convenient to carry; not only can you drink it after exercise, but you can also carry it with you when traveling as a source of daily hydration. Especially in Taiwan, where there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, brewing and storing it in a thermos cup is more in line with winter drinking habits.
You can also drink it in winter. Drinking ice water or water with a lower temperature after exercise may cause gastric cramps, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In addition, it is winter, and warm sports drinks brewed with powder are closer to the body temperature, which is harmful to the body. Potential damage is also relatively low.
Contains various minerals. Like bottled sports drinks, powder-packed sports drinks are also rich in trace elements such as sodium ions, calcium ions, magnesium ions, potassium ions, and chloride ions, which can immediately replenish the energy needed by the body and be absorbed faster by drinking.
Close to human body moisture. Sports drinks are close to the proportion of sweat and body fluid concentration, which can help the body quickly replenish lost electrolytes. In addition, sports drinks are also designated supplements for many professional athletes and marathon events.
Finally, nutritionist Gao Minmin also reminds the public that sports drinks must still be consumed in moderation, especially for those with previous low kidney function or kidney disease. Excessive sports drinks will increase the load on the kidneys. It is recommended to drink in moderation under the supervision of a physician. In addition, if you have any doubts about drinking sports drinks, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist or physician in advance to avoid additional burden on the body caused by failure to replenish water.
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