Hydration status as a whole is very important for health.
Water is responsible for regulating blood pressure, body temperature, movement of nutrients across membranes, and maintaining proper fluid balance in our cells, plasma, and outside of our cells.
Electrolytes certainly have their place when speaking about hydration as they can aid in the overall hydration status of an individual.
Electrolytes are responsible for the generation of action potentials that lead to muscular contractions and maintaining fluid balance within and outside of cells. With the many roles of water and electrolytes in our body, it is especially important that athletes maintain optimal hydration status due to the various demands that athletes put on their body during training and competition.
When exercising, particularly at high-intensities and for extended periods, our body is set to experience excessive sweating as means of controlling our core temperature. With that sweating, comes a loss of vital electrolytes that can include:
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
Dehydration often results in a decline in performance, and can inhibit post-exercise recovery.
As such, supplementing with a high quality electrolyte formula can go a long way to helping with rehydration, and thus assist with improving performance (during exercise) and optimising recovery (after exercise).
Carbohydrates role in rehydration
Aside from electrolytes, carbohydrates also serve as an essential source of energy during exercise. They fuel the muscles and the brain, ensuring physical endurance and cognitive function. After intense workouts, they aid in replenishing lost glycogen stores and promote recovery.
Osmolality refers to the concentration of solutes in body fluids. When we ingest carbohydrates, they are broken down into simpler sugars, like glucose, that enter the bloodstream. These sugars create a solute concentration that attracts water and helps it move from the digestive system into the bloodstream, thus aiding hydration.
Carbohydrates can enhance the rate of fluid absorption during and after exercise. According to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution consumed during prolonged physical activity can result in fasted & more efficient than water alone.
The presence of carbohydrates in the solution helps the body to retain more fluid, preventing dehydration and boosting athletic performance.
Our recommended Electrolyte / Hydration formulas include: