Definition of Isotonic Drinks

Also known as sports drinks, isotonic drinks have a chemical composition that favors water absorption. This implies that by consuming them the body recovers with more speed when the loss of fluids, sugars and you go out minerals after intense physical exercise.

Most of them have a Format liquid, but some come as a powder and are then mixed with water. In the market there are brands with different flavors. They can be found in supermarkets, pharmacies or specialized stores for athletes.

Understanding the composition

The concept of isotonic refers to the osmolarity of the liquid, that is, the same concentration of osmolarity as our blood. This equivalence allows the absorption of the liquid to be optimal.

An isotonic drink for sportsmen has to contain water, sodium and sugars in the following proportion: sugar between 4 and 8% (in 100 ml of water it should have between 4 and 8 gr of carbohydrates, such as glucose or fructose) and, on the other hand, between 46 and 112 ml of sodium. This data can be checked on the product labels.

These drinks allow you to recover the electrolytes that are lost with physical exercise through sweat. Therefore, these are hydroelectrolyte drinks. Despite their benefits for sports activity, they should not be consumed as a substitute for water.

Natural isotonic drinks

Taking into account that water, glucose and sodium are the basic elements, these types of drinks can be made in a completely homemade and natural way. Thus, 900 ml of water are introduced into a container at temperatureenvironment, 100 ml of lemon juice, a small spoonful of salt and another of sodium bicarbonate are added. Then three tablespoons of sugar are added and all the ingredients are mixed until dissolved.

Isotonic drinks should not be confused with energy drinks

These are two very different drinks. The energy ones have a high caffeine content, so when it comes to practicing sport it is advisable not to take them, since they accelerate the metabolism. On the other hand, isotonic ones are healthy for physical exercise.

Experts recommend consuming this product during exercise and at the end of it, but should not be used as a soft drink, as they have a high sugar content.

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