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.”
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Book%20Details
%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EThree%20Centuries%20of%20Travel%20Writing%20by%20Muslim%20Women%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEditors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiobhan%20Lambert-Hurley%2C%20Daniel%20Majchrowicz%2C%20Sunil%20Sharma%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIndiana%20University%20Press%3B%20532%20pages%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
More on Quran memorisation:
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
More on animal trafficking
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
