Monday, December 28, 2009

Facts about Fluids


More than half of the human body is water (59.5%), as compared to 16% protein, 16% fat, 6% minerals, 1.5% carbohydrates and 1% miscellaneous. Dehydration can result in damage to tissues. Therefore, when you sweat heavily during the hot season or after exercising strenuously, you have to replace the water lost through sweating (as well as via urinating and breathing). To restore your body's fluid balance, the best drink is still plain water.

A cold beer won't do the job, because the carbohydrates and the electrolytes (salt and potassium) in the beer have to be broken down by the body before the water content can be absorbed. Besides, the alcohol content can be metabolized only by using more body water. How about soft drinks and sports drinks? They, too, contain glucose and electrolytes that need to be broken down before they can refresh you.

Taken from The Bosconian Forum

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