Stroll along the drinks section of any supermarket and you will find it teems with colour thanks to a variety of products that promise one of a myriad of benefits upon consumption.
Some of the most trendy are electrolyte drinks, among them staples like Gatorade and Pocari Sweat, which are geared towards athletes, and newer brands like Humantra and OneShot, which are marketed to improve day-to-day hydration. The brands behind these beverages say they don't simply quench thirst, but more importantly replenish essential minerals lost during workouts, hot weather or illness.
As the UAE summer comes to a close, are these drinks the hydration heroes they claim to be, or does routine food and water suffice? This is what the experts say.
What are electrolytes and why do we need them?
Electrolytes are essential salts and minerals, which include sodium, potassium and magnesium, explains Dr Zarin Pilakkadavath, a family medicine specialist at Aster Clinic Liwan.
“These salts are essential to help nerves transmit electrical signals to the body’s muscles, including the heart, as well as to help maintain fluid levels, and aid the body in absorbing nutrients into its cells,” she says.
Experts say these minerals play an important function in bodily processes. For example, sodium controls fluid levels, while potassium supports muscle function. Magnesium, another common electrolyte, assists in muscle relaxation and energy production, while calcium helps in stabilising blood pressure.
Electrolytes are already present in food and drinks, says Dr Pilakkadavath, and are lost through sweat and urine. More sweating because of hot weather or intense physical activity means more electrolytes are lost.
Do we need to take electrolyte drinks?
“It is important that electrolyte levels in your body are balanced,” says Pilakkadavath. Too much or too little of such minerals can lead to health issues, she adds, causing symptoms such as “confusion, irritability, irregular heart rate and breathing difficulties, to name a few”.
This is where electrolyte drinks can come in. They are often marketed as a better way to replenish lost electrolytes and boost hydration. Pilakkadavath warns, however, that having a balanced diet could be enough to regain important minerals, and that drinking water already goes a long way.
Sipping on electrolyte drinks should be reserved for those engaging in high-intensity or long-duration exercises when the electrolytes are lost through sweating and can’t be replaced with water only, Pilakkadavath advises.
“If you exercise vigorously for more than one hour, sweat heavily during exercise, or are exposed to heat for longer periods, an electrolyte drink can be helpful,” she explains. However, Pilakkadavath says it's important to watch out for symptoms of electrolyte imbalances such as twitching, muscle cramps and irritability.
While such beverages can be helpful in some cases, experts warn against overconsumption too. “Overconsumption of electrolyte drinks can lead to imbalances, potentially causing health issues like high blood pressure, kidney strain or heart problems,” says Bhawna Nihlani, a health coach in Dubai. “It's important to consume these drinks in moderation, particularly if you’re not engaged in high-intensity activity.
“Consume electrolyte drinks before, during or after intense exercise, or in hot weather,” she suggests, with dosage ultimately depending on individual requirements influenced by factors such as body size and sweat rate.
“It is typically one to two servings per hour of activity. They can be combined with water and, when paired with balanced meals too, they can enhance overall hydration and nutrient absorption,” she says.
Instead, Nihlani's personal go-to when it comes to replenishing lost electrolytes is coconut water. “Coconut water is a natural alternative, providing a good source of potassium, though it may lack sufficient sodium for those engaged in prolonged or intense activities,” she explains. The health coach adds a pinch of sea salt to her coconut water to boost its sodium content.
Pilakkadavath says it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional when it comes to drinking electrolytes-infused beverages. When choosing a drink, she says to read the label carefully and check for ingredients such as sugar and artificial sweeteners.
“Most sports drinks, for example, contain calories from added sugar such as glucose, sucrose and fructose in addition to electrolytes,” she says. “If you have a medical condition or take medication, check with your doctor about how you should stay better hydrated.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
SAUDI RESULTS
Team Team Pederson (-40), Team Kyriacou (-39), Team De Roey (-39), Team Mehmet (-37), Team Pace (-36), Team Dimmock (-33)
Individual E. Pederson (-14), S. Kyriacou (-12), A van Dam (-12), L. Galmes (-12), C. Hull (-9), E. Givens (-8),
G. Hall (-8), Ursula Wikstrom (-7), Johanna Gustavsson (-7)
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Race card
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
RESULTS
1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman
4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
