Drink milk to counter dehydration: researchers

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Drink milk to counter dehydration: researchers

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He added that milk replaces sodium lost in sweat and helps the body retain fluid better.

30 August,2012 02:41 pm

Researchers said that active children need to be watered with milk as it is a more effective way of countering dehydration than a sports drink or water itself. According to Brian Timmons, research director of the Child Health and Exercise Medicine Program at McMaster and principal investigator of the study, this is particularly important during the hot summer weather.“Children become dehydrated during exercise, and its important they get enough fluids, particularly before going into a second round of a game. Milk is better than either a sports drink or water because it is a source of high quality protein, carbohydrates, calcium and electrolytes,” said Timmons.He added that milk replaces sodium lost in sweat and helps the body retain fluid better. As well, the milk provides protein needed by children for muscle development and growth that is not found in the other drinks.The study of eight to 10-year-olds involved exercising in a climate chamber, then receiving a drink and being measured for hydration.Timmons, an assistant professor of pediatrics of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, said active children and adults usually dont drink enough to stay hydrated during exercise, so they often have a “hydration disadvantage” when they start their next period of exercise.