Seniors and Hydration – Are Sports Drinks Better Than Plain Water?

Senior Care in Water Mill NY

Now that the weather is warming up and your senior loved one is likely to be embarking on some outdoor forms of exercise such as biking, hiking, and golf, making sure they get adequate hydration is certainly a priority.  In the summer months when a lot of fluid is lost through sweat, it is important for caregivers to be vigilant and help their loved one to stay hydrated.  Adequate hydration is essential to proper organ function and temperature maintenance within the body.  It can also be a way to prevent stress and anxiety.  Most caregivers know that plain water is always a great choice when it comes to staying hydrated, but what about sports drinks?  Many claim to keep people hydrated and they are tasty, too.  So, when the weather is hot and your loved one is exercising, which should they chose, water or sports drinks?  Read on to find out!

Do sports drinks have any benefits?

Sports drinks have benefits for those who are doing a lot of physical activity.  They contain water, carbohydrates, and electrolytes which all need to be replenished when a person is exercising for a long period of time or very intensely.  Sports drinks do have calories and sugar, but when a person is very physically active, the activity cancels them out.

Can plain water hydrate as well as sports drinks?

If your loved one is exercising for less than 60 minutes at a time, water is a great choice.  Drinking to thirst before, during, and after exercise, as well as throughout the day is an excellent way to prevent dehydration.  If your loved one is a moderate exerciser, they aren’t likely to need to replenish the carbohydrates and electrolytes that an intense exerciser might need to.  And, being a moderate exerciser, they may not want to consume the calories and sugars that are found in sports drinks.

When is it appropriate to choose a sports drink over water?

A sports drink may be great for days when your loved one is physically active for over 60 minutes at a time.  So, if they have gone for a long hike on a nature trail, played over an hour of golf, or went on a long bike ride, having a sports drink might be a good way for their body to recover from the physical exertion.  But, they should also be drinking plain water, too.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care in Water Mill, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/hydration-water-vs-sports-drink/2012/08/10/7f2f71dc-dda1-11e1-af1d-753c613ff6d8_story.html