One of our strong suits as humans is that we can quickly adapt to any known environment. Whether it’s through taking advantage of our environment, crafting tools, using resources, or only relying on each other as a group, much of our ancestors have survived thousands of years through intelligence and working together. But other than our vast potential for more extraordinary things through our intellect, humans are also known for having an exceptionally durable body with a variety of “unique” features for different weather conditions.
Our bodies are versatile in various environments and will have certain coping mechanisms that will help us adapt to specific environments. Suppose we’re under the sweltering heat of the sun. In that case, our skin will usually produce sweat to cool down the overall temperature of our body to prevent heatstroke and possible dehydration. When it comes to cold climates, our muscles will usually contract and constrict as a means of producing heat.
But even when our bodies can effectively adapt to different environments, this will usually cost a good amount of energy and resource integral to the body’s function. For instance, shivering can burn a good amount of calories from fat, while sweating can easily use up the body’s water supply, which can cause dehydration. Although our bodies can adapt to these environments, that doesn’t mean that they can stay out in these extreme conditions for a long time.
However, most athletes will need to expose their bodies to extreme conditions to make their bodies healthier. Rigorous training and exercise won’t only burn up a fair amount of calories, but the body will also require a lot of water to cool the body. But other than just liquids, much of our body will also need electrolytes, sugar, and vitamins to stay in peak condition.
If you’ve been to sports events, you’ll see a lot of sports drinks businesses peddling their products as the “best thirst quencher” or the best way of energizing active athletes. But is it the best way of hydrating the body? Won’t water work in this situation? We’ll be answering some much-needed questions regarding water and sports drinks.
Why Do We Need Water?
Like most machinery out there, the more we use our body, the hotter it will get since more energy is being used. Water has always been a natural “coolant” in the same way that it’s used for most machinery. But from a health standpoint, it’s also essential in keeping cells operational and integral to the metabolic process.
At the same time, our body will need to manage toxic compounds and chemicals that might cause complications. Water is also used in “flushing out” chemicals from our bodies. Theoretically, most experts would say that the human body can live months without eating, as long as they have a steady water supply.
Water is also integral in helping the body recover from various types of illnesses. Fever will usually result in a higher body temperature, and the body will need to compensate for higher temperatures by sweating to cool down the rest of the body.
Should You Get Sports Drinks Instead?
Water will always be necessary for our daily lives since it’s essential in almost every bodily function. But what about sports drinks? Well, most experts would discourage using sports drinks as an alternative to water.
Sports drinks are usually designed to help replace vital electrolytes and sugar lost through sweating and the excretion of waste. This makes it ideal for athletes running marathons or any workout that will require them to “sweat it out” for long periods.
But whether you need electrolytes, vitamins, or water, it’s still important to have the right safety equipment for sports. Although our body won’t necessarily need to sweat it out for some types of sports, such as skiing, we’ll still need the right equipment to retain heat. Fortunately, Obermeyer women’s jacket is known for having a fine balance of design and function that will keep your body warm. These jackets are known for being unparalleled in terms of sportswear for cold climates.
Sports drinks are suitable for competing in sports events and those requiring the right amount of electrolytes and sugar for heavy activities. But sports enthusiasts and individuals should remember that these drinks are not substitutes for water. Instead, adults should aim to drink at least two liters of water each day while increasing intake. That way, they won’t feel dehydrated, and they have the necessary liquid intake even when sweating it out.
