Read 39 times since Saturday, January 14, 2012
You've probably have seen it a couple of times, big advertising company selling out this certain sport drinks with promise of helping those athletes recuperate faster after an intensive training or performance. Marketing strategies are quite convincing with product descriptions equally enticing. But the real question is do recovery drinks live up to their claim?
Every athlete depends on a strong body and on their ability to recover fast to be able to give off an optimal performance the next day. After an intense exercise or training, our body sweats off a lot. In this way, water losses occur leading to a potential fluids and electrolyte imbalance. Health consequences associated with this condition ranges from a simple dehydration and heat exhaustion to cases as severe and as fatal as heat stroke and severe dehydration. While it's true that consuming large amounts of water during and after strenuous activities can save you, but the truth is, water will not suffice.
It is not only water that is loss during extreme trainings but valuable electrolytes as well such as sodium, potassium and magnesium among others. These key electrolytes play a major role in maintaining our body's hydration status and buffering the pH system in our body. Furthermore, these ion-containing substances also govern cellular metabolism and cellular chemical balance between cells which plays a major factor for the occurrence of most complex bodily functions, especially in our muscle cells. Losses and imbalances in electrolytes result to disturbances both in simple and complex physical functions. Needless to say, replenishing fluids is as vital as maintaining the proper electrolyte concentration in our bloodstream.
The delicate balance between the fluids and electrolytes in our body is the very reason why athletes must consider adding recovery drinks to their list of important beverages. They are easily absorbed and gets to where it is needed in the body faster compared to plain water because this sport supplements resembles an osmolality comparable to that of our blood and body fluids, hence making them readily absorbable. Moreover, as previously mentioned, it also contains sodium, an electrolyte which triggers the thirst mechanism in our brain. As a result, high-intensity athletes drink more, leaving dehydration with no chance to break in. Apart from the fact that it serves as a fluid and electrolyte replacement, this beverage also fuels performance as it also contains carbohydrates that can reinstate depleted level of glycogen used during the performance stress. These carbohydrate contents, which usually come in appropriate amounts, about 6-8% boost energy levels but do not interfere with absorption and goals of hydration. Lastly, other types of recovery beverages are also packaged as protein shakes, packed with amino acids for a better and faster protein synthesis, subsequently paving way for hastened muscle rebuilding and recovery process.
Considering that this kind of energy drinks for athletes is a bit expensive compared to consuming plain fluids, a lot may actually wonder if they are truly effective. A review that appeared on the journal of Sports Medicine regarding the effectiveness of commercially available drinks stated that enough valid evidence surfaced indicating that consuming these beverages will improve performance in contrast to the group consuming only the placebo counterpart. Research also suggests that electrolyte and carbohydrate replacement via these drinks resulted to an overall 12% improvement in time trial performance of endurance athletes. In addition, scientific evidences have associated consumption of this drink recovery supplement to the improvement of immune system in highly trained athletes.
Recovery drinks are often neglected and taken for granted by most athletes, thinking that they do not need it, when in fact; it could do wonders for their ability to maximize performance while at the same time allowing for a faster recovery period. It contains all the necessary nutrients, fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrates needed by stress-baffled body mending from injuries brought by an intense training. As early as now, it is better to spare few extra bucks to save your body from any health consequences than later on spend a hefty deal to restore your health back from severe dehydration. Sport and Supplements offer value added products and supplies for the fitness and gym enthusiast, visit http://sportandsupplements.com for the latest products now.
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