What kind of water should you drink during exercise?

During exercise, the body loses a lot of salt due to intense sweating. Therefore, minerals are essential for the body of an athlete, and drinking mineral water is the best solution in this case.

However, many mineral waters are carbonated and athletes try to release the gas themselves, although in reality, a large part of the carbon dioxide remains in the water and does not come out as easily. Therefore, it is much more practical to consume non-carbonated mineral water, preferably alkaline.

Runners, skiers, cyclists, cross-country skiers and other endurance athletes have long known that drinking carbonated water “dehydrates the body”, causes gas and increases the need for water. This is because the carbon dioxide used for carbonation is a metabolic end product of our daily activities. It is recommended to drink alkaline mineral water instead.

During intense sports, the body is often deprived of oxygen. Such anaerobic metabolic processes produce large amounts of acidic metabolic intermediates. Most athletes are familiar with muscles that have become sore due to lactic acid. An acidic environment causes fatigue, malaise, promotes fermentation and the development of chronic inflammation in the intestines. One of the simplest and most feasible solutions to help your body is to consciously consume alkaline water. For example, naturally highly alkaline mineral water Devin, with a pH value higher than 9 (pH > 9).

Maris Aagver, who participates in the Tartu bike marathons, says: “Last year I used carbonated mineral water as a drink, this year I decided to try alkaline Devin mineral water and the difference was amazing – the result is 20 minutes better than last year. Even more amazing because I haven’t trained more this season and I’ve added another year to my age. I seriously believe that the body’s performance is significantly better with alkaline water than when consuming carbonated, or “acidic” drinks.”

The benefits of alkaline water are also confirmed by athletes Janek Tombak and Riina Suhotskaja, confirming the claim that consuming alkaline mineral water is a wise decision for athletes, as it increases both performance and speeds up recovery from exertion.

Author: Jaanus Lember, biochemist