Effects of a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage on blood viscosity
after dehydration in healthy adults
Chang CQ, Chen YB, Chen ZM, Zhang LT
Chinese Medical Journal 2010; 123: 3220-3225
Purpose
We studied whether an ion supply drink was more effective than water and tea for helping subjects recover from elevated blood viscosity due to exercise-induced dehydration.
Methods
Twelve young healthy male subjects were studied in three randomized cross-over intervention trials using an ion supply drink, water, or tea. Following cycle ergometer exercise-induced dehydration of 2.2% of their body weight in a warm environment (ambient temperature 34.3℃, relative humidity 63%), the subjects ingested test beverages equal to their body weight loss, then the water balance and properties of the blood were assessed.
Results
The blood viscosity was significantly lower with the ion supply drink compared to the water and tea at 60 minutes after ingesting the test beverages. The change in plasma volume was significantly different with the ion supply drink compared to the water and tea at 120 minutes after ingesting the test beverages. The increase in the plasma volume was significantly attenuated with the tea compared to the ion supply drink and water at 60, 120 and 180 minutes. The fluid retention rate was significantly higher with the ion supply drink in comparison to the water and tea at 60, 120 and 180 minutes after ingesting the test beverages.
Conclusion
Ingesting an ion supply drink is more useful than ingesting water and tea for normalizing the blood viscosity following exercise-induced dehydration.