Beer for rehydration

[RichardM]

  Hallelujah: Beer Hydrates Better Than Water

Now, there's no reason to wait for that post-hike beer
At last, I no longer have to act ashamed whenever people discover my hydration bladder is full of Miller High Life—I'm simply ahead of my time. Our pal Science now says that beer, yes beer, is more effective for rehydrating the body than plain ol' water. I think I'm not alone when I say that this qualifies as news on par with peace in the Middle East.

Researchers at Granada University in Spain found this Nobel Prize-worthy discovery after months of testing 25 student subjects, who were asked to run on a treadmill in grueling temps (104 degrees F) until they were as close to exhaustion as possible. Half were given water to drink, and the other half drank two pints of Spanish lager. Then the godly researchers measured their hydration levels, motor skills, and concentration ability.

They determined that the beer drinkers had "slightly better" rehydration effects, which researchers attribute to sugars, salts, and bubbles in beer enhancing the body's ability to absorb water. The carbohydrates in beer also help refill calorie deficits.

 Based on the results of the study, researchers recommend moderate consumption of beer as a part of athletes' diets. "Moderate consumption" for men is 500ml per day, and for women is 250ml per day.

Goodbye Gatorade, hello Pabst Blue Ribbon: This opens the door to a whole raft of new athlete beer sponsorships. Hopefully we'll see Lance replace the water bottle on his bike with a 40 of St. Ides in the next few months. (In fact, maybe that's why he didn't win the Giro d'Italia.)

This of course doesn't mean anything for hydration outside of strenuous exercise, but I'm not taking any chances—best to start hydrating now. [cracks open can of Lone Star]

—Ted Alvarez

It's Better To Drink Beer After Exercise Than Water
By Julie
Created 11/02/2007 - 8:47pm

Researchers at Granada University in Spain have come across a discovery that will undoubtedly please athletes and sports enthusiasts - a pint of beer post-workout or match is better at rehydrating the human body than water.

Professor Manuel Garzon, a member of Granada's medical faculty, made the finding after tests on 25 students over several months. Researchers believe that it is the sugars, salts, and bubbles in a beer that may help people absorb fluids more quickly.

The subjects in the study were asked to run on a treadmill at temperatures of 104F (40C) until they were close to exhaustion. Once they had reached the point of giving up, researchers measured their hydration levels, motor skills, and concentration ability.

Half of the subjects were given two half pints of Spanish lager to drink, and the other half were given just water.

Garzon said that the rehydration effection in those who were given beer was "slightly better" than those who were given only water. He also believes that the carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, and that beer's carbohydrates replace calories lost during physical exertion.

The average person loses around 1 liter (33oz) of water for every hour of exercise in sweat. Rehydrating after a workout is crucial, as a lack of hydration is more likely to make one feel tired, fuzzyheaded, and suffer from headaches.

Based on the results of the study, researchers recommend moderate consumption of beer as a part of athletes' diets. "Moderate consumption" for men is 500ml per day, and for women is 250ml per day.

So that explains why Babe Ruth was so good. His method of training was nearly 100 years ahead of its time.

[chisos muse]

OK I saw this topic and thought it was a new Toby Keith song.... 

[mule ears]

It's Better To Drink Beer After Exercise Than Water
By Julie
Created 11/02/2007 - 8:47pm

a lack of hydration is more likely to make one feel tired, fuzzyheaded, and suffer from headaches.

I know that too much "hydration" can make one feel tired, fuzzyheaded and suffer from headaches too!

I hope the positive effects are found drinking a good ale or IPA and not just a Spanish lager (most of which are not very good).

[jeffblaylock]

Just remember to filter or treat any beer you take from backcountry sources.

[Al]

The biggest problem is hauling in enough hydration liquid when hiking the back country.  Another advantage of zone camping and setting up a base camp.  It allows a return trip to the vehicle to help ensure a sufficient supply of hydration supplies.

Al

[Undertaker]

Since the beer in the back country comes in on my back, I am sure of the source, can't wait to find out single malt scotch is good for you. 

[Undertaker]

Second point, if you are laying face down in the sand are you hydrated or unconscious???

[bjbriggs]

It must be right,  I have a river buddy, who never drinks water.  He takes 3-30 packs of beer and that all he drinks on our river trips(unless he can also get some whiskey from someone).  He has a lot of trouble walking and has been know to put his shoe in the campfire.  I don't know how he does it, but he alway does.  Here are some pictures of him.  

[Al]

I have a friend who used to be like that.  He would over-hydrate regularly.  When he ended up in the hospital with a perforated stomach for four days he decided to use alternative hydration methods.

Al

[Undertaker]

Reminds me of a single malt and vodka drinking buddy of mine, never mind he's dead now.

[bjbriggs]

Reminds me of a single malt and vodka drinking buddy of mine, never mind he's dead now.

It sad about my river buddy,  we are scared when you go on a river trip something might happen to him.......We hate to not let him go, been going with us for over 20 years.....

[Al]

Sometimes you have to cut your losses before they occur.  He could create the river trip from hell.  At a minimum you need a sat phone or emergency calling device in the event he tries to kill himself on a river trip.  My bud with the perforated stomach, who I see for perhaps one week out a year, had this rather acute event occur when he was visiting.  I woke up one morning and he was laying face down with blood all over the side of his face.  Hardly an ideal guest.  The hospital had to pump 4 units of blood into him.  He knows he can't drink and has been doing pretty good since.  I can only imagine if this had happened a day or two into or out of a canyon on the river.

Al

[Undertaker]

I have managed to back way off my wild younger 10ft tall and bullet proof youthful life. Still party a little but not burning candle at both ends. I felt with three sons I would like to be around and watch them grow up. 35, 33 and 22 and still watching.

[dkerr24]

I know I shouldn't laugh, but those pictures were funny!

[Al]

Good start on a funeral pyre.  Hard to explain to the rangers if you had to fire it off, however.

Al