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| Questions on Isotonic Drinks Answered.
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| 1. |
Isotonic drinks are usually associated with sports and events. Can an individual who is not so active drink isotonic drink? |
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Answer: When isotonic drinks first made its name in the market, its role was for sports performance and endurance. Isotonic drinks do play a role for those engaged physical activities for quick rehydration. Isotonic drinks may be included as a part of your fluid intake along with other beverages within the recommendations. |
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| 2. |
Isotonic drinks are suitable for people who pursue an active lifestyle |
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It is important for people who pursue an active lifestyle to remain hydrated. Isotonic drinks contain a combination of water, sugar and electrolytes suitable for hydration of the body. For people with diabetes who exercise intensively, isotonic drink may help them to replenish the fluid lost and prevent hypoglycemia. It is advisable that people with diabetes consult the sports dietitian about their eating and drinking plan prior to their exercise schedule. However, for people with diabetes who do not exercise or maintain active life, this may increase the chance of causing the blood sugar to run too high. A serving of 240 ml (approx 1 cup) of isotonic drinks may contain 16 g of total sugar which contributes to 3 teaspoons of sugar.
If you are hypertensive your sodium intake should not exceed 2400 mg per day or even lesser than this amount. A cup of isotonic drink of 240 ml contains 115mg of sodium chloride. So, all foods and drinks that contain sodium should be taken into account if you are hypertensive. It is wise to read the label of product before you determine the intake of any food or drinks. |
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| 3. |
What are the ingredients in an isotonic drink? |
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The ingredients in isotonic drinks are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate and water. These are electrolytes which are basically electrical transmitters in our body. You can compare them to electrically-charged particles, or ions, in flashlight batteries. Sweat that evaporates from our skin contains a variety of electrolytes and fluids. If there is a continual loss of these key electrolytes, this will lead to dehydration and heat stroke. Our body will normally carry out internal regulation of these electrolytes to maintain the balance if the differences are minor. It is recommended to replace the loss of these electrolytes by supplying the body with fluid and electrolytes so that rehydration takes place quickly. |
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| 4. |
How much of isotonic drinks can I consume as a part of my fluid plan and once opened how long can I keep the isotonic drinks? |
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Answer: Isotonic drinks may fit in as you requirement of fluid intake of 2 liters per day. A cup of 250 ml can fit into your fluid plan. However, a variety of fluids such as water, milk, and fruit juices should be in the fluid plan. If you consume from the can, it is better to drink as soon as they are opened otherwise the carbon dioxide will dissipate from the drink. If you buy bottles then make sure you screw the cap tightly and finish the drink within 2 -3 days. |
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| 5. |
Should I drink isotonic drinks cold or at room temperature and what is the shelf line of these drinks? |
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Answer: Contrary to what you've heard, cold drinks aren't absorbed into your body more quickly than warm ones. However, cold drinks are often more palatable than warm ones during exercise or on hot days, so if coldness helps you to drink large quantities of fluid while you exert yourself, then keep your drinks cool. Most isotonic drinks do have a shelf line of 9 - 12 months from the date of its production. The canned isotonic drinks are impermeable to oxygen and light, thus have a longer shelf line while the ones in the clear bottle which allows transmission of oxygen and light into the product do have a shorter shelf line. It is recommended that you read the label carefully. |
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| 6. |
What is the component that quenches the thirst in isotonic drinks? |
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Answer: Isotonic drinks contain a proper combination of carbohydrates namely glucose and sucrose, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and phosphates (minerals lost through sweat) and water. The higher the carbohydrate levels in a
drink, the slower the rate of stomach emptying. Isotonic drinks with a
carbohydrate level of between 6 and 8% are emptied from the stomach at a rate
similar to water. Electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium, in a drink will
reduce urine output, thus enabling the fluid to empty quickly from the stomach,
promoting absorption from the intestine and encouraging fluid retention. That
makes the difference. |
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Take home message
It is important to eat all foods and drink fluids in moderation, balance and variety. Fluid intake is often overlooked in the eating plan. Keep yourself hydrated to optimize your daily work performance.
By Mary Easaw – John, Consultant Dietitian. The writer has 23 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. The information is solely for educating the public and does not constitute an endorsement of any products. Questions regarding its content and use should be directed to a qualified dietitian. |
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