Staying hydrated while being active, will ensure that you’re able to adequately recover from your workouts and activities, while also preventing injuries. Furthermore, you’ll also be able to fend off debilitating health issues like heatstroke, depending on whether or not you're exercising outside in warm temperatures. To prevent dehydration, it’s important to snack on a sodium rich snack before your workouts. Nothing too extreme, but a snack that’s mildly salty can do wonders for your health.
Men’s Health reported on a study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in which “men who ate chicken noodle soup containing 1,362 milligrams of sodium before cycling in the heat drank and retained more water during the ride than those who just downed H2O beforehand.” Read more about sodium risks
Study author Neil Johannsen of Iowa State University stated that the subjects “lost less water through urine, even though they drank more.” He added that this suggests a “hydration-promoting change in kidney function.”
If you’re not a fan of soup, other salty snacks to consider could include tomato juice, or a small handful of pretzels or salted nuts. Remember, moderation is important here. An overload of salty snacks can be quite dangerous, but as this study shows, a small amount before a workout can help your body progress and even prevent the dangers of dehydration.Read more about dehydration
Image: Nathanmac87
References: Men's Health
