Are you someone who loves to indulge in the relaxing goodness of infrared saunas? Then, you must already know that staying hydrated during and after your sauna session is essential. Dehydration is a common concern for sauna-goers due to fluids lost during sweating.
But how much water should you drink after a sauna session to replenish your body? In this article, we'll dive into the details and provide you with helpful tips to ensure that you stay hydrated and healthy. So, let's get started and explore the science behind staying hydrated after a sauna session!
What is the Best Drink for Rehydration After your Sauna Sessions?
After your infrared sauna sessions, it's important to rehydrate your body as soon as possible. With all the sweating you just did from the hot sauna, you've lost a significant amount of fluids. Here is our list of the most hydrating drinks post-sauna bath:
- Water
- Sports Drinks (such as Gatorade)
- Milk
- Fruit Infused Water
- Tea
- Coconut Water
- 100% Fruit Juice
These beverages are formulated to replenish hydration and replace crucial minerals lost through sweating to help your body recover more quickly. So, whether you prefer to chug a glass of water or sip on some Gatorade, just make sure to prioritise sauna hydration to feel your best post-session. Let's take a closer look at why we've chosen these 7 post-sauna drinks.
Drinking Water: How Much Should I Drink Post-Sauna?
Water is our number one pick for numerous reasons, and you should aim to drink about 1.5 times the amount of water you've lost while sweating in your sauna. To estimate the amount of water lost, weigh yourself before and after sauna bathing. Water is easy to consume and free – after all, our bodies are made up of 60% water.
It is important to drink water because it helps the body perform key functions including cell strengthening, facilitating blood flow, eliminating wastes, regulating body temperature, moisturising mucous membranes, lubricating joints, preventing UTIs, aiding digestion, maintaining skin moisture, and transporting nutrients.
According to the Victorian Government, on average to maintain proper body fluids and prevent dehydration, it is recommended that women drink around 8 cups of water per day, while men should aim for 10 cups.
Sports Drinks: Can you Drink Gatorade in the Sauna?
Yes, sports drinks – such as Gatorade – containing electrolytes can be helpful for proper hydration during and after your sauna session as they restore glucose, fluids, and electrolytes lost during the activity.
Drinking Gatorade can improve hydration as it contains specific sugars and electrolytes that get absorbed quickly. Gatorade can replenish the lost sodium, potassium, and chloride caused by sweating during exercise, which helps to maintain a healthy body. Nonetheless, be mindful of the sugar and carb content in these drinks.
Milk: The Surprising Nutritional Hydrating Drink Post-Sauna
Milk is a better choice for staying hydrated than plain water because of its nutrients: lactose, protein, and fat.
The nutrients found in milk can help slow down the process of your stomach emptying and keep your body hydrated. Additionally, the sodium present in milk helps in retaining water by decreasing urine production.
This is quite similar to how oral rehydration solutions function to treat diarrhoea as they include sodium, sugar and potassium to maintain the hydration level of the body. A 2015 study found milk to be as hydrating as an oral hydration solution! While dairy may not be your cup of tea, milk seemingly is a popular choice of rehydration drink over both water and sports drinks.
Fruit-infused Water: A Fan Favourite
Drinking fruit-infused water is a great way to stay hydrated because it contains electrolytes, minerals, and many health benefits.
These benefits include increased energy, improved function of the immune system and brain, prevention and treatment of headaches, maintenance of healthy blood pressure, support for weight loss, improved oxygen delivery, detoxification, and enhanced physical performance.
What makes fruit-infused water great for post-sauna hydration is the combination of affordability and accessibility, flavour and benefits!
Tea: Just Like Water But Hotter!
Drinking tea is a good way to stay hydrated because it has low caffeine content. This means it doesn't make you lose more water than it provides.
Studies have shown that drinking moderate amounts of both herbal and caffeinated teas can hydrate the body just as effectively as water. There is no significant difference in hydration markers between tea and water. Even if tea makes you produce more urine, you won't have more fluids lost than you consumed.
Coconut Water: A Tasty Alternative
The clear liquid found inside coconuts, known as coconut water, contains electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and manganese which can help to keep one hydrated.
Coconut water has fewer calories and less sugar than many other drinks, making it a safe choice for occasional consumption. Even though it can be compared to sports drinks, plain water is still the most hydrating choice.