How does the small amount of sodium that is found in sport drinks, like Gatorade

Question

How does the small amount of sodium that is found in sport drinks, like Gatorade, help to maintain fluid balance in and around body cells after a long, intense workout? In your response, include the following terms: thirst, osmosis, absorption, reabsorption, intra- and extra-cellular spaces, and kidneys. How does the small amount of sodium that is found in sport drinks, like Gatorade, help to maintain fluid balance in and around body cells after a long, intense workout? In your response, include the following terms: thirst, osmosis, absorption, reabsorption, intra- and extra-cellular spaces, and kidneys.

Explanation / Answer

Hydration is an important part of our health and well-being. Even small losses of body fluid can cause headaches, lack of concentration, decreased reaction time and lethargy and also hinder sport performance. Bevarages including thoose with sodium can help maintaining our body water balance.

The human body routinely excretes various amounts of water through urine, stool, sweat. In regular exercise, sweat can contribute to fuid loss in body. Fluid loss can also lead to an increased core body temperature,which impairs the enzyme activity in the body.

- Research shows that the natural thirst mechanism makes individual consume only approximately half the amount of fluid we have lost.  

- Water , diluted fruit juices and sport drinks are commonly used for rehydration. As sodium is the major salt in sweat, some drinks contain added sodium along with carbohydrates in it.

- Sodium is known to stimulate the thirst mechanism and is also mproves the rate at which small intestine can absorb water and carbohydrates. This helps in rehydration

-Gatorade contains about 450mg of sodium per litre.

- Osmoregulation is the active regulation of the osmotic pressure of an organisms body fluids.

- Organisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments must maintain the right concentration of solutes and amount of water in body fluids, this involves excretion through organs such as skin and kidneys.

- For optimal sports performance, specially in hot environments, it is important to drink regularly. Bevarages that contain sodium may help to rehydrate faster .

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