We've all seen those commercials that tell us that our bodies are made up of a large percentage of water. And while it may be hard to believe, the reality is that water is the central force of life. We are told to drink several glasses of water during the day as a way to promote our overall health. Doctors and nutritionists recommend that we make a conscious effort to stay hydrated in order to stay in our best physical shape.
The functions of water in the body are manifold. It is responsible for the transportation and nutrients and the elimination of waste products. Water lubricates joints and tissues and facilitates digestion. It regulates temperature through sweating and plays an important role in the function of several organs and glands.
Water and hydration are especially important when it comes to physical activity.
Exercise causes us to sweat, meaning that our bodies lose water. When we lose water, our bodies are forced to work harder. Take this statistic for example - a loss of just one percent of body weight because of sweating is related to a significant drop in blood volume and an increased effort on the part of the heart. Dehydration is also a leading cause of cramps, dizziness, fatigue and heat stroke.
This is why athletes have to pay special attention to hydration while engaging in a sport or working out.
What can be difficult is figuring out how much hydration is needed. Each individual must monitor his or her own hydration and rehydration practices, optimizing performance. Beyond individual physical structure and make-up, several other factors influence the necessity of rehydration. Length and intensity of exercise largely dictate how much liquid should be consumed before, during and after activity. Other important factors include temperature and altitude. With time and experience, all athletes are sure to be able to figure out what works and what does not.
Nowadays, hydration is not achieved only through water. While many athletes insist that good old H2O is the best remedy for a thirsty throat, tons of sports drinks are on the market today. It is sometimes hard to know which sports drinks are worth it.
There is no definitive answer, however, when it comes to the real effectiveness of sports drinks. They contain electrolytes important to take in after intense exercise, but these electrolytes come accompanied by sugars, syrups and chemicals that are not always the best.
The best idea is to simply proceed with caution. Remember that sports drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde have calories - about 200 per bottle, in fact. Such calories are great to take in after a highly intense work-out, not necessarily after a 20-minute walk.
Hydration is key to performance in physical activity and to well-being as a whole. Get your water bottle ready the next time you head to the gym - you may be surprised at what a difference it makes.
The functions of water in the body are manifold. It is responsible for the transportation and nutrients and the elimination of waste products. Water lubricates joints and tissues and facilitates digestion. It regulates temperature through sweating and plays an important role in the function of several organs and glands.
Water and hydration are especially important when it comes to physical activity.
Exercise causes us to sweat, meaning that our bodies lose water. When we lose water, our bodies are forced to work harder. Take this statistic for example - a loss of just one percent of body weight because of sweating is related to a significant drop in blood volume and an increased effort on the part of the heart. Dehydration is also a leading cause of cramps, dizziness, fatigue and heat stroke.
This is why athletes have to pay special attention to hydration while engaging in a sport or working out.
What can be difficult is figuring out how much hydration is needed. Each individual must monitor his or her own hydration and rehydration practices, optimizing performance. Beyond individual physical structure and make-up, several other factors influence the necessity of rehydration. Length and intensity of exercise largely dictate how much liquid should be consumed before, during and after activity. Other important factors include temperature and altitude. With time and experience, all athletes are sure to be able to figure out what works and what does not.
Nowadays, hydration is not achieved only through water. While many athletes insist that good old H2O is the best remedy for a thirsty throat, tons of sports drinks are on the market today. It is sometimes hard to know which sports drinks are worth it.
There is no definitive answer, however, when it comes to the real effectiveness of sports drinks. They contain electrolytes important to take in after intense exercise, but these electrolytes come accompanied by sugars, syrups and chemicals that are not always the best.
The best idea is to simply proceed with caution. Remember that sports drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde have calories - about 200 per bottle, in fact. Such calories are great to take in after a highly intense work-out, not necessarily after a 20-minute walk.
Hydration is key to performance in physical activity and to well-being as a whole. Get your water bottle ready the next time you head to the gym - you may be surprised at what a difference it makes.
About the Author:
Damian Papworth, an enthusiastic amateur cyclist, recently published the Cycling Water Bottle website. He understands how crucial a bike water bottle is to hydration on the long rides.
