It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in the ins and outs of your pre-workout meal selections and forget to keep track of what you’re drinking. However, as you’ll discover, what you drink may drastically affect your exercise. Bloating and cramps to unexpected energy crashes —or worse— can all be side consequences of your drinking habits.
Alcohol dehydrates you while simultaneously limiting the quantity of oxygen supply that reaches your muscles, which is a lousy combination for your exercise. When your muscles don’t receive enough oxygenated blood, they don’t have the energy they need to operate, and your workout performance suffers. Not to mention, drinking affects balance and lowers response time, increasing your chance of an accident or injury. Drinks should be saved for a post-workout treat.
Sparkling Water
Whenever you start the HIIT exercise, cracking open that can of sugary LaCroix isn’t the best idea. While carbonated flavored water tastes fantastic, the bubbles may induce bloating and gas, making you feel sluggish and unpleasant during a workout. Stick to plain water for pre-workout hydration instead of fizzy water.
Sugar-Free Drinks
Sugar alcohols, which are low-calorie sugar replacements, provide sugar-free smoothies and beverages with their sweet taste. Sugar alcohols are manufactured from genuine sugar, but their chemical structure is modified so they aren’t ingested by the intestines. This makes them tough to digest, resulting in a lot of gas, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea, which is the last factor you want while you’re attempting to work out.
Drinks branded “light,” “diet,” or “diabetic-friendly” should be avoided. If you notice any of the common sugar alcohols such as maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, or erythritol on the ingredient list, pass.
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