HYDRATION DEBATE: FLAT VS SELTZER

How the swap can affect your performance (athlete or not).

Every athlete (or active individual) knows that education is a crucial part of performance. Sport and exercise research, insight from top trainers, science, and technology help us to better understand our bodies so we can craft a healthier lifestyle, workouts, and recovery plan.

THE GIST

Sparkling water is a popular alternative to flat H2O, but its carbonation and acidity can leave people questioning whether the beverage has a place in their fitness routines.

INSIGHT

Turns out, we can safely hydrate with seltzer during a workout. Products from some cult-favorite brands, like Seagram's and San Pellegrino, are even more hydrating than flat water because they contain 30 to 35 milligrams of sodium per serving, which essentially helps our bodies retain water.

With that in mind, the swap probably won't affect our performance, but drinking carbonated water while breathing in more air during tough workouts is a recipe for burping. It's more likely to happen during cardio sessions like running versus more stationary ones like lifting.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you prefer seltzer and aren't bothered by the bubblies, you can certainly do a one-to-one swap of flat water for sparkling while you exercise.

#nutrition #selfcare