Ever heard of isotonic drinks? During exertion, it's vital to remain well hydrated so your performance doesn't go down. But after one hour of exercise, water is no longer sufficient! You have to give your muscles energy by feeding them carbohydrates, and also sodium to compensate for loss through perspiration. Isotonic drinks are exactly what's needed to give sportsmen and women these 2 essential ingredients!
Isotonic drinks contain the same proportion of carbohydrates, water and sodium as your blood does, which favours the absorption of all these constituents in your intestines. Isotonic drinks also help keep the body hydrated and facilitate the absorption of water during sports activities.
Hypertonic drinks
A hypertonic drink is one that has a higher concentration of certain elements than the blood. Too high a concentration slows the rate of digestion and therefore limits rehydration. This can give rise to stomach cramps or heartburn.
Hypotonic drinks
Conversely, a hypotonic drink has a lower concentration of these elements than the blood. A very diluted drink stimulates rehydration - at the cost of reducing the absorption of nutrients!
The optimal composition of an energy drink depends on environmental factors and the conditions in which the exercise is done. If the temperature of the environment in which exertion happens is high, hydration is of capital importance to health and safety, and we recommend you to go for a more diluted drink (hypotonic). If the temperature is lower and dehydration is therefore not such a big risk, then a more concentrated drink should do the trick (isotonic).
- too much fructose may produce a laxative effect during exertion,
- too much salt may lead to dehydration,
- too much glucose may lead to hypoglycemia.
Those are few examples to show you that the dosage of isotonic drinks must be handled with precision and care.
That's why Aptonia isotonic drinks are ideal: they're designed specifically to meet the needs of sportspeople and thus facilitate dosage.
Isotonic drinks are designed for all sports.
Whatever type of exertion you're making, it's advisable to hydrate regularly, without waiting to feel thirst. The same goes for tiredness: don't wait to feel tired before giving your muscles energy!
Drink 1 to 2 sips of Iso, every 10 to 15 minutes to maintain a constant level of energy from beginning to end of your exertion.
Why add vitamins to an isotonic drink?
Vitamins B1, B2 and B6 are water-soluble vitamins. Your body does not store them so they must be obtained daily through your diet. Vitamins play an important role in your metabolism and in converting nutrients into energy.
What's the role of sodium?
The presence of sodium in drinks, especially isotonic ones, is beneficial because:
- It compensates for losses through perspiration: perspiration is, in fact, a mix of water and minerals, particularly sodium.
- It enables a better absorption of water and carbohydrates in the intestines. This absorption of water helps with rehydration.
- It stimulates the thirst mechanism,
- It allows for better conservation of ingested liquids.
"DIETICIAN-NUTRITIONIST, MULTISPORT ADVENTURE RACING AND ROWING ENTHUSIAST"