Active children should be given milk to drink, because it prevents dehydration better than water, according to a Canadian study reported on the EurekAlert website. This is especially important during hot summers, they emphasize.
According to scientists from McMaster University in Hamilton (Ontario), the authors of the study, milk effectively replenishes sodium, lost with sweat, and makes the body better retain fluid in the body. In addition, unlike many other drinks, it provides the protein children need for muscle growth and development.
The experiments, led by Brian Timmons, were carried out in a group of children aged 8-10 years. They all exercised in an air-conditioned room in which different weather conditions could be recreated. They were then given various drinks and their hydration was checked.
Milk turned out to be the best in this regard, hydrating it more effectively than water or sports drinks.
Children become dehydrated during games and exercise, so it is very important that they get enough fluids, especially before going back to play. Milk is better than water or sports drinks because it is a good source of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, calcium and electrolytes, Timmons said.
According to the researcher, children and adults usually do not consume enough fluids during exercise, which is why they often become dehydrated. Meanwhile, even 1 percent dehydration can cause a 15 percent decrease in physical performance, with increased heart rate and body temperature. Greater dehydration, on the other hand, increases the risk of heat stroke. Research by scientists at McMaster University was funded by Canadian farmers. (PAP)
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