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Hydration Secret #1
Caffeine and alcohol - just how dehydrating are they?

Just what are the effects of alcohol and caffeine on athletic performance? Like all drugs, they have side effects – but just how strong are these effects, and is a diet containing these drugs detrimental to the goal of optimum hydration?

A study into the effects of high-dose pre-exercise caffeine ingestion had fascinating findings. In a double-blind trial, trained runners exercised to exhaustion on a treadmill at 70-75% of VO2max on two separate occasions under the following conditions:

1. high-dose caffeine tablets, administered at the rate of 5mg per kg of body weight two hours before exercise, followed by 2.5mg per kg 30mins before;


2. placebo tablets.

Venous blood samples were taken every 15 minutes during exercise, and afterwards water loss and sweat rates were calculated from the difference between pre- and post-exercise body weight.

You will find the surprising results of this trial IN FULL in the Hydration Therapy Special Report. Click here to order now or read on to hear all about the damning evidence on alcohol and athletic hydration.


How alcohol Dehydrates

A UK study examined the effect of alcohol consumption on the restoration of fluid and electrolyte balance after exercise-induced dehydration. In four separate trial conditions, six subjects consumed drinks containing 0, 1, 2, and 4% alcohol over a 60-minute period, beginning 30 minutes after the end of a dehydrating exercise session.

Although a different beverage was consumed in each condition, the volume remained constant at just over two litres (equivalent to 150% of body mass loss during exercise - the amount recommended for efficient hydration).

The results of this trial may well change the way you think about the effect of alcohol on your performance goals.