If you’re drenched in sweat after a workout, you know it’s time to rehydrate.
But before you reach for the water bottle, it’s important to understand exactly what sweat is made of, because when we sweat we lose more than just water: we also lose electrolytes. Replacing these key minerals can help you hydrate more efficiently and maintain peak performance.
Here’s what you need to know about the science behind sweat.
Why do we sweat?
Sweat is your body’s natural cooling system. When you feel hot, whether from a hot day, a spicy meal, a stressful situation, or an intense workout, your body increases sweat production to stay cool.
“Generally, we sweat to help regulate body temperature in hot conditions,” says Paul Falcone, MS, principal scientist at BODi. “When water from sweat evaporates, it cools the skin.”
Your skin contains millions of sweat glandsand about a liter of sweat evaporates from the skin each day.
What does our body lose with sweat?
“Sweat is primarily made up of water and electrolytes, which are essential minerals for the body,” explains Falcone. Sweat may also contain traces of urea, uric acid, ammonia, vitamin C and other substances.
The main electrolytes we lose when we sweat are sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. These electrolytes serve as variety of important purposes inside the body and helps keep the nerves, muscles, heart and brain working properly.
Electrolytes are so vital, Falcone adds, that their levels are strictly regulated within the body to help ensure that basic processes are not disrupted. So, when you’re sweating during a longer workout, it’s important to replace the electrolytes you’re losing in addition to the water.
How to replace what is lost when we sweat
Water is essential for hydration, no surprises.
But during a longer workout, especially if you’re increasing the intensity, a drink like Beachbody Performance Hydration can help replenish fluids and electrolytes to help you maintain a higher level of performance.*
This is because, along with all their other functions, electrolytes play a critical role in hydration drinks by helping the body absorb water more effectively and maintain optimal fluid balance. Adding Beachbody Performance Hydrate to your water bottle can help replenish those electrolytes so you can rehydrate more efficiently.
“Electrolytes help with the osmolality of the drink, which means it is easier for the body to absorb water,” explains Falcone. This focus on osmolality makes Beachbody Performance Hydrate more beneficial for hydration than water alone.
To ensure you get the ideal electrolyte balance, Beachbody Performance Hydration is formulated with a scientifically backed combination of electrolytes and carbohydrates to optimize hydration, improve endurance and help boost muscle recovery.*
“Drinks with carbohydrates and electrolytes have been shown in clinical studies to promote endurance,” says Falcone. “Carbohydrates provide fuel to working muscles and electrolytes support several body processes necessary for exercise.”
To make the most of Beachbody Performance HydrationIt is best to drink it during or after training. Mix one serving with 8 ounces of water for every 30 minutes of exercise to help maintain fluid balance and support performance.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
