Drinking Water Myths

Over the years, many myths about the water weExercise causes you to lose fluid rapidly, so it should
drink have popped up and become incorporated intobe replaced rapidly to prevent dehydration.
our knowledge base until half the time we don't knowAnother reason that cold fluids are preferred is that
what is fact and what is fiction. For the same reason,they taste better, so you'll be more likely to drink all you
water can be flavored. Sports drinks will replaceneed. Why? Research has shown that chilled water
electrolytes and carbohydrates lost from the body bypasses through the stomach much more quickly than
exercising for an hour or longer.drinks consumed at room temperature. Some say that
But if you haven't exercised for very long e.g. less thanwe should drink water at room temperature; others
an hour, then you won't have lost very much fluid. Inproclaim cold water to be best. Still others claim that
this case, fluids at room temperature are what youdrinking cold water will cause cancer. Don't let this
should consume. Some say that we should drink waterworry you; it is certainly a myth. Therefore, chilled
at room temperature; others proclaim cold water to bedrinks will re-hydrate you a great deal more quickly.
best. Still others claim that drinking cold water willExercise causes you to lose fluid rapidly, so it should
cause cancer. Don't let this worry you; it is certainly abe replaced rapidly to prevent dehydration.
myth.But if you haven't exercised for very long e.g. less than
The American College of Sports Medicinean hour, then you won't have lost very much fluid. In
recommends that all drinks used during exercise bethis case, fluids at room temperature are what you
chilled. Why? Research has shown that chilled watershould consume. For the same reason, water can be
passes through the stomach much more quickly thanflavoured. Sports drinks will replace electrolytes and
drinks consumed at room temperature. Some say thatcarbohydrates lost from the body by exercising for an
we should drink water at room temperature; othershour or longer. But if you haven't exercised for very
proclaim cold water to be best. Still others claim thatlong e.g. less than an hour, then you won't have lost
drinking cold water will cause cancer. Don't let thisvery much fluid. In this case, fluids at room temperature
worry you; it is certainly a myth. Therefore, chilledare what you should consume.
drinks will re-hydrate you a great deal more quickly.