It is important to drink after a workout because exercising causes the body to lose not only fluids but also vitamins and minerals. With so many conflicting advertisements, it's difficult for many people to discern what the best drinks are to rehydrate the body after a workout. There are a variety of different healthy drinks to choose from after a workout, and which drink is the best choice can depend on the type of exercise.
Water
Water is an essential nutrient that humans need every day. Not only does it help satisfy thirst, but it also facilitates normal, healthy functions of the body and helps to rehydrate the body after exercise. The Mayo Clinic states that not drinking enough water after exercising can cause dehydration and fatigue. They recommend drinking two to three cups of water for every pound of weight lost after an exercise. For example, if a person weights 151 pounds before exercising but only 150 pounds after exercising, he needs to drink two to three cups of water after finishing. Water is great for after low-intensity exercises or along with food, but people who do high-intensity or long distance exercises may need more than just water.
Milk
Some people picture milk as a drink that's most suitable for children. In reality, milk makes an excellent drink for rehydrating the body after a workout. According to Fitness magazine, drinking milk helps the body to recover faster from exercising. This is because it has both carbohydrates and protein so it repairs muscle tissue while quenching thirst. Fitness magazine recommends that endurance athletes get even more carbohydrates for muscle repair by drinking chocolate milk after a workout.
Sports Drinks
The Mayo Clinic states that while water is best for some athletes, sports drinks are often necessary for long distance or endurance athletes. This is because sports drinks contain electrolytes like potassium, sodium and calcium, which the body loses during a hard workout. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking a sports drink after a workout if the workout lasts for 60 minutes or longer.
Juice
Juice is another good choice of beverage to drink to rehydrate the body after a workout. Juice contains natural sugar called fructose, which is a type of carbohydrate. The Mayo Clinic states that the carbohydrates in fruit juices help to replace energy lost during exercise and restore glycogen, which is stored in the muscles for energy later.
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