Hydration & Recovery – the foundations to any successful training plan, are often overlooked or misunderstood. The phrase “stay hydrated” is so commonly thrown around, but what does hydration actually mean and why is staying hydrated so important, especially for athletes?  

Did you know that muscle is made up of 79% water?

Roughly 60% of the human body is water. So, it would make sense that every part of your body, including your muscles, needs water to function properly. Therefore, staying hydrated is a key factor in athletic performance as athletes who hydrated are able to more optimally perform critical functions their dehydrated counterparts.

When are you Dehydrated?

Generally, dehydration can be defined as when your body's water requirements are greater than your water intake. However, during physical exertion and particularly during the hotter summer months, your body utilises water at a much greater rate. This causes dehydration to set in much quicker if adequate fluids are not taken in. 

Both mental and physical performance can be hugely negatively impacted as a result, so even though staying hydrated is always important, it is even more important to athletes wanting to perform at their optimum.

What are Electrolytes and what do they do?

Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that, when dissolved in water, play critical roles in hydration, muscular performance & other critical bodily functions. 

Electrolytes include sodium, phosphate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, & bicarbonate which help regulate the balance of fluids in the body. Additionally, they aid in maintaining pH levels, building new tissue & transmitting nerve signals.  

How do I stay Hydrated?

Make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet including foods high in electrolytes such as green leafy vegetables, nuts & fruit. Also ensure you drink plenty of water, while being cautious not to overhydrate. In the case of athletes, consider a water-based intra-workout product which contains electrolytes for hydration and Amino Acids (BCAAs or EAAs) to support recovery.

At Opalbond, we have a range of electrolyte supplement formats that we can provide in private label. If you’re looking to extend your product range to include the latest in hydration product innovation, please get in touch at enquiries@opalbond.co.uk.