Issue #191: Should You Drink Gatorade?
Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 25th.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: Gatorade vs Water
Speed Read: Sitzpinkler vs. Suwari-shon
Thursday Night In: Lemon Chicken
“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.”
The percentage of Americans that are chronically dehydrated. (Source)
From the Lab
Is Gatorade better than water to keep us hydrated?
Short answer is no.
Gatorade and other traditional sport drinks are what is called “hypertonic.” Without going too far into the science, it can actually slow the absorption of the water in cells.
We’re left with that full feeling of all the liquid stuck in our stomach because it takes a long time to get into the intestines and the rest of the body.
Plus, the high amount of carbs (glucose) in these sports drinks aren’t necessary unless we are crushing an intense workout for over 2 hours.
All this glucose and artificial colors also rot our teeth.
Thinking about the gallons of Gatorade I drank back in middle school and high school 🤦 - but I guess it worked for MJ.
A better alternative?
What we really need are electrolytes.
Sodium chloride (salt), in particular, helps balance fluid in the body (i.e., get hydrated). Other key electrolytes are magnesium (Issue #21), which helps turn nutrients into energy, and potassium, which balances the sodium and supports our heart.
No need to add electrolytes all day long, but they are especially effective for those days when you work out for 1+ hours or on hot days.
What’s the Deal With Alkaline Water?
We’ve all seen those $3 bottles of water with a pH of 9.5 promising us the fountain of youth. Most experts don’t believe there’s much benefit here relative to regular water.
Our bodies have a set pH level (it varies across different organs) and this water isn’t going to change that. There might be a slight increase in this water being more readily absorbed, but the evidence is lacking.
5 Pro Tips
🧂 Easy way to get electrolytes - add some salt and lemon juice to your morning water
❌ If you’re buying electrolyte packets - go for brands that don’t add a bunch of unnecessary sugar - that’s why we prefer LMNT over Liquid IV
☕ Coffee/Tea are diuretics and make us extra dehydrated - aim for a 2:1 ratio of electrolyte-enhanced water for every oz of coffee or tea. More like a 3:1 ratio for alcohol!
🧊 Really cold water (like it feels cold going down your throat into your stomach) won’t be as easily absorbed into the body - so best to have only slightly chilled H2O when working out
☠️ Tap water is full of toxins we don’t want - including endocrine disruptors. Find out what’s in your local water (search by zip). Be sure to get a high quality water filter (AquaTru or Berkey) and even check the junk in the mesh under the faucet - change this out every year. (Issue #28)
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Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
Sitzpinkler vs. Suwari-shon!: All this talk about hydration and I need to go #1. 62% of German males pee sitting down most of the time - a “sitzpinkler.” Why? The “ghost toilet” (Wha?). There are benefits - sitting empties the bladder faster/more completely (better for prostate), less splatter, and you’re already there for #2. PS - The Japanese are even more inclined to sit (their word = suwari-shon) thanks to heated seats and jets from smart toilets. (Big Think)
Did You Hear That?: The FDA now allows OTC hearing aids vs. Rx-only. Traditional players like Sony and Jabra have entered the ring pushing innovation. This is news to all of our ears - according to the WHO, 1 billion young people risk noise-induced hearing loss. (NYTimes)
Mobility Exercises to Try Out This Weekend: Take care of major intersections in the body - the pelvis, shoulders (better known as the octopus of the body - Issue #178), and knees. Mobility work improves blood flow and helps your body work as it should - go outside and do these exercises for your knees this weekend, your future self will thank you. (Outside)
Thursday Night In | Lemon Chicken
Another quicker Thursday Night In so you can get more time outside as the seasons change. Pretty simple and really tasty, pair with a light salad and crusty bread, a side of broccoli or brussels sprouts, or pasta.
Thanks for joining us today!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.