Nutrition Quarterly Summer 2022

Making sure to hydrate after exercise is crucial to post-workout recovery. Your muscles are about 75% water, so they need fluids all the time. Good hydration aids your body with digestion, helping process the carbs and protein in your recovery shake or snack. And if you’ve sweat, you need to get fluids and electrolytes back into your body quickly. The chief electrolytes are calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sodium, and they are responsible for regulating the flow of nutrients throughout your body. If you are dehydrated after a workout, the protein synthesis that rebuilds muscles slows and delays your recovery. There are many electrolyte-enhanced waters available and coconut water is a great option for hydration that contains naturally-occurring electrolytes and is low in sugar and calories. Beyond Just remember that water alone is not the answer for proper recovery! If you are exercising regularly, you are well on your way to better health and a happier life, but if you think your workout ends when you step off the treadmill, you’re missing out! Nutrition plays a major role in the effectiveness of exercise, which makes post-workout recovery key to your success – no matter whether your goals are wellness or performance-based. D i d y o u k n o w ? . . . D r i n k i n g o n l y w a t e r a f t e r a w o r k o u t c a n f o r c e Nutrition Quarterly · Series 3 – Volume 3 8 Post-Workout Recovery