Why Athletes Need Water

lemon water

A good number of people do not realize the importance of drinking water. Drinking water is not only about taking a few sips; you need to drink enough amounts of water. Health experts also recommend drinking a few cups before having a meal for weight loss reasons. If you are someone who loves working out, then you should always have your water bottle with you and personalize your bottled water. You need to drink enough water before, during, and after working out. That said, this article looks shares some reasons why athletes and fitness buffs should drink lots of water.

Why You Need Water

woman drinking water

Close to 70% of your body contains water. This water is often found in your cells and blood vessels. As such, whenever you are exercising, your body tends to lose a lot of water through sweat as the body tries to cool itself. This means that your body mechanisms have to respond to this loss by making you feel dehydrated. You only feel comfortable when your water balance is restored.

Your activity levels and the atmospheric pressure often determine the amount of water you drink. For intense workouts or games, you have to drink water before you start working out. And after you are done working out, you need to replenish your water reserves again.

Signs of Dehydration

Most people tend to be dehydrated, but only a few know the signs. Besides feeling thirsty, your body communicates in many ways when your body is dehydrated. Other sights of dehydration include heart palpitations, nausea, and muscle cramps. Also, you might find your sweating rates reduce abnormally, and your lips might appear unusually dry. In extreme cases, dehydration saps your energy levels leaving your feeling sluggish.

Staying Hydrated

Thirsty manStaying hydrated at all times is vital for an athlete. As such, it is imperative to plan ahead to avoid getting dehydrated. If possible, you need to drink enough amounts of water before, during, and after working out. This allows your body to excrete any excess before you start working out. Besides drinking lots of water, it is advisable to exercise when it is cool, preferably after the sun goes down.

You need to drink enough amounts of water for good health and good performance on the pitch. If possible, you do not have to wait until your body starts telling you its dehydrated. Drink water throughout the day, and most importantly after working out.

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