Monday, May 7, 2012

The Right Beverage to Recharge the Body


Too much sweating during warm months can cause dehydration. However, many would pick ice cold bottled drinks.



The truth is, energy or sport drinks, soda and other processed beverages will just give temporary relief from thirst. And because most of it contains high levels of fructose syrup, there’s a strong tendency to down another bottle or more.
Water alone is not enough to hydrate the body from severe fluid loss. The perfect re-hydration beverage should have a combination of salt and sugar, along with magnesium and potassium to help prevent muscle cramping.
Fresh coconut water is a great natural alternative. It is naturally high in electrolytes and potassium, without the high fructose corn syrup.
Besides drinking plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day, you can stay hydrated by eating fruits and vegetables that have natural high water content.
Watermelon is 92 percent water and ranks among the top water-rich foods available. Ideally, start your day by eating watermelon for breakfast and it will keep you hydrated plus it helps balanced the body’s electrolytes.
Watermelon is a good source of vitamins A, C and B, potassium and the powerful anti-oxidant lycopene, which supports prostate health. Watermelon also is lower in calories than other fruit, making chilled watermelon a great, nutrient-rich snack for your workouts.
One study looked at the effect of an electrolyte-rich meal plus water for restoring fluid balance after exercise-induced dehydration.  The results showed that having water with the meal was more effective than using sports drinks to restore the body’s hydration status.
Another great way to re-hydrate is to make a mineral broth using a variety of unpeeled, vegetables, such as carrots, garlic cloves and sweet potatoes. Bring ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for two to four hours, adding water as needed.  Strain and add salt to taste.  Consume this hot or cold.
Source: Journal News, Photo Credit : loveliveramble.blogspot.com