Isotonic drink: a help, but not a panacea

Isotonic drink: a help, but not a panacea
Isotonic drink: a help, but not a panacea
Anonim

Isotonic drinks are very popular today. And for good reason: they are able to compensate for the lack of electrolytes in our body and maintain an optimal water balance. Doctors believe that drinking an isotonic drink is more beneficial than a glass of plain water. After all, this fluid has exactly the same osmotic pressure as our blood plasma.

isotonic drink
isotonic drink

How does osmosis work? When a permeable membrane separates two different liquids with different compositions, due to the concentration gradient, they will gradually pass into each other. The reason lies precisely in the unequal osmotic pressure. The same thing happens in our body with you, only the permeable cell membrane performs the function of a partition here.

Initially, the isotonic drink and its beneficial properties were used exclusively for medical purposes. Based on this liquid, solutions for intravenous administration were prepared (an example is a solution of glucose or sodium chloride). But then more and more often the concept of isotonicity began to be associated with sports and fitness.

sports drink
sports drink

With intensive sports loads, our body inevitably leaves the liquid. Basically, these are hypoosmotic fluids (with a pressure less than that of plasma) - urine and sweat. But, besides water, we are also deprived of s alts. With a lack of fluid intake from the outside, the amount of substances dissolved in the plasma increases, and this most negatively affects the circulatory system. Our blood becomes viscous, its gas exchange worsens, the load on the cardiovascular system increases, and the course of biochemical reactions is disturbed. With the loss of only 2-3% of the liquid, performance decreases sharply. It was to solve all these problems that a special sports drink was created that regulates the water-s alt balance.

Isotonic drinks consist of magnesium, sodium, calcium s alts, as well as dextrins and m altodextrins. They contain 4.5% carbohydrates, vitamins, useful microelements and biological additives. Such a cocktail has a truly magical effect - it restores strength, increases the tone and efficiency of the body. So for those who like alcoholic cocktails, maybe you should make a he althier choice.

alcoholic cocktails
alcoholic cocktails

But not every isotonic drink will suit everyone without exception. His choice is a purely individual matter. Quite often, the composition of the drink includes saccharin and other sweeteners. In addition to the fact that these additives spoil the taste of the liquid, specialists have long suspected their carcinogenic properties. Such isotonic drinks should not be consumed in any case. Why do they keep selling them?and buy? As you probably already guessed, the reason is the relatively low price.

But even quality drinks have side effects: drinking them can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Therefore, the reaction of the body and the careful selection of the composition of the product play a key role.

An isotonic drink is not a panacea for any occasion of life, although sometimes it makes it much easier. But still, doctors advise the main need for liquid to be satisfied with water, freshly squeezed juices and fresh dairy products.

Recommended: