Salt in water

[Ellis456]

Can anyone explain to me how this help's?, if I put a spoon of it in a bottle of every ride is that ok?, or is it just a now and then thing?.




Thanks

 

[amaferanga]

Its electrolytes you need, not just salt (sodium). Like this (expensive, but 250g is enough for more than 250 x 500ml bottles).

 

[Muttley]

Putting salt in your water must taste terrible.!

 

[vickster]

And make you puke?

Bottle of Lucozade lite normally sorts me out or a cup of tea I have low BP so don't have to go easy on the salt but I wouldn't dream of drinking salty water (swilling that's bad enough when have tooth problems)!

 

[ColinJ]

I add Lo-salt to my drinks for long rides but not by the spoonful - a small pinch per 800 mL bottle is all I use!

(I lose a lot of salt in sweat. I have come back from hard rides on hot days with swathes of salt crystals on my face and jersey.)

 

[Davidc]

If you cook and prepare most of your food from basic ingredients you may be salt deficient when doing a lot of exercise (such as cycling a long way) when it's hot. Most people's bodies tell them, and a spoonful of salt per litre won't taste bad at all if you're short of it.

If you get low on sodium you may suffer cramp, dizziness, and a few other problems.

If you eat even a typical amount (for the UK) of processed food you're unlikely to be short of salt.

I eat mostly home prepared food and little processed food but don't normally have any salt deficiency symptoms even after a 50 miler on a hot day. I don't have to worry about too much as I always have low blood pressure but still don't take any extra when riding, and rarely ever have done.

 

[Rob3rt]

Can anyone explain to me how this help's?, if I put a spoon of it in a bottle of every ride is that ok?, or is it just a now and then thing?.




Thanks

How far do you cycle? How long are you out on the bike?

Chances are you probly dont need to go adding things to your water, people are way too paranoid about electrolytes and hydration in endurance sports and drink like mad even on silly sub-hour rides.

 

[ianrauk]

Can anyone explain to me how this help's?, if I put a spoon of it in a bottle of every ride is that ok?, or is it just a now and then thing?.




Thanks

Blimey, a pinch will do ya

 

[Spinney]

With most rehydration mixtures, a good guide is whether it tastes OK or not.

If your body needs it, what would normally be a disgusting salty drink tastes good! If it tastes horrible, just drink squash or similar.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I add Lo-salt to my drinks for long rides but not by the spoonful - a small pinch per 800 mL bottle is all I use!

(I lose a lot of salt in sweat. I have come back from hard rides on hot days with swathes of salt crystals on my face and jersey.)

Ditto. I notice that once my sweat actually tastes of salt water then the bottle of water with a pinch of salt makes a big difference.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

And make you puke?

Only if the salt water mix is near saturation point. Most if not all sports drinks contain salt in some form or other.

 

[lulubel]

If you cook and prepare most of your food from basic ingredients you may be salt deficient when doing a lot of exercise (such as cycling a long way) when it's hot.

....

If you eat even a typical amount (for the UK) of processed food you're unlikely to be short of salt.

Very true.

I fit into the first group, and I always take an electrolyte drink with me if I'm going to be out for over an hour (except on cloudy days in the winter). Even then, after a ride in the morning, I was starting to suffer from headaches/dizziness and crave crisps in the afternoon. I've solved the problem by adding salt to my lunch, which I didn't like at first because I usually hate the taste of salt, but I've got used to it!

(I live in the south of Spain, and dehydration and low salt issues are much more likely to happen here than in the UK, as is shown by the amount of shelf space supermarkets dedicate to water and big bags of salted crisps!)