Why is it necessary to be properly hydrated?
Most of our body’s metabolic processes rely on water.
Water controls body temperature and joint lubrication, it detoxifies, it regulates blood pressure and heart rate, and it also assists in the proper functioning of the nervous system.
By definition, dehydration means excessive loss of bodily fluids, and this can have a number of causes: lack of hydration, sweating (from overheating and/or intense physical exertion), diarrhea, vomiting, diabetes, burns, and alcohol consumption.
When you feel thirsty, your body has already dehydrated by 1%
No matter what the cause, even a loss of just 2% of the water in your body leads to the symptoms of dehydration. Feeling thirsty is the earliest sign. Then come decreased production of urine and darker urine coloration, tiredness, irascibility, depression, dry tear ducts, headache, dizziness, insomnia, and a general feeling of being unwell. As the percentage increases, the symptoms become more severe and are joined by arrhythmia, high blood pressure, light-headedness, constipation, fever, and nausea. At 10%, you will have muscle spasms, your skin will become very fragile and tear, and your vision will become blurred. A 15% loss is fatal.
Keeping hydrated during workouts improves performance
People who regularly take physical exercise know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially in warm weather. A 2% drop in hydration at high temperatures will lead to lower performance.
But not all types of water are the same, and you have to be careful when choosing the water you drink.
Mineral water is comes from a source tapped at one or more boreholes or springs, and originates from a geologically and physically protected underground water source. Mineral water can be distinguished from other types of water by its constant, balanced level minerals and trace elements at the point where it is tapped. No minerals are artificially added to this type of water.
What are electrolytes and why is mineral water the only natural source of these important substances?
Electrolytes are soluble chemical substances, which after dissolving break down into ions. The resulting solution is electrically conductive. All the mineral salts found in mineral water are electrolytes: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc.
Replenish your electrolyte levels with natural sparkling water
After a workout, a jog or intense physical activity, the best way of replenishing electrolytes (minerals) lost through sweating is to drink naturally sparkling mineral water, rather than sodas or sport drinks, which contain additives, sugar and artificial minerals.
Clean, pure, natural mineral water is the best drink to hydrate the body before, during and after exercise, as it is easy for the body to absorb it completely.
Natural mineral water (whether still or sparkling) improves resilience during exertion, providing enhanced extracellular buffer capacity. During physical activity they restore liquids and salts, facilitate nitrogen waste clearance, and counterbalance the metabolic acidosis that typically affects athletes.
Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water contains natural bicarbonates, which have proven beneficial health effects.
Bicarbonates are necessary for digestion; they change the acid/base balance, as well as blood pH and all biological fluids, and also drain lactic acid from the muscles.
ARTIFICIALLY Carbonated Water (Soda Water) contains artificial bicarbonates!
The artificial addition of CO2 creates harsh conditions throughout the digestive system and actually increases the release of gastric acidity, ultimately leading to hypertension, ulcers, pressure on the diaphragm and more.
Among the types of acid produced, lactic acid generated during physical exercises is buffered by bicarbonate.
Natural mineral waters (whether still or sparkling) that contain natural bicarbonates may contribute to reducing muscular fatigue and therefore increase performance during short-term physical exercise. Physical exercise implies the production of lactic acid, leading to the acidification of the pH in blood and muscle. In order to buffer this accumulation of lactic acid and regulate the acid/base balance, the body uses biological buffers, in particular the bicarbonate buffer systems. But under conditions of intense physical activity, this natural buffer is limited and a build-up occurs, creating the risk of fatigue.
The high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions provided by nature in naturally sparkling water generates a higher concentration of bicarbonate, creating health benefits such as improved digestion, prevention of kidney stones, and neutralization of the lactic acid produced during physical activity.
AQUA Carpatica is the best choice because it is rich in calcium and magnesium bicarbonates.
- Naturally sparkling: 1000 mg/l TDS
- Still natural spring water: 200 mg/l TDS
Pure water, no harmful chemicals
But perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind when you choose your water is purity.
The water you drink should be fertilizer free = No Nitrates (NO3-N).
The chemical compounds used in agriculture can be found in almost kind of bottled water, but you won’t find them listed on the label.
Good for plants, but not for humans, nitrates are colorless, odorless, tasteless substances found in groundwater and aquifers.
AQUA Carpatica naturally sparkling water and natural spring water are both NITRATE-free, they are perfectly pure, and so you won’t have to worry about nitrate contamination.
![Comparison[1]](http://blog.aquacarpatica.com/english/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Comparison1.png)
Drinks to avoid
Carbonated sport drinks and energy drinks contain sugar and only provide your body with worthless calories. Carbonated drinks provide only short bursts of energy, without any positive long-term effects.
Sport drinks DO NOT hydrate better than water!
Natural spring water or naturally sparkling mineral water together with a nutritious snack rich in sodium and potassium (e.g. bananas, oranges, or nuts) are a much healthier option.
And besides, pure, simple, natural water has no calories and no sugar or chemical additives.
Key Benefits at a Glance for the Perfect Water
- Natural Water, not processed or purified
- Coming from a verified, unique source
- Naturally Pure – very low content of Nitrates
- Low in sodium
- Natural Minerals and Electrolytes
- Smooth, pleasant taste
- Naturally Alkaline
You can find both natural spring water and naturally sparkling mineral water AQUA Carpatica at:
