Electrolyte Blend for Hydration and Performance
Staying properly hydrated is crucial for athletes and active individuals who want to perform at their best. That’s why many sports drinks and hydration mixes like Biosteel contain an electrolyte blend. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that are lost through sweat during intense exercise.
Replenishing these important electrolytes can provide a number of benefits:
The specific electrolyte profile can vary in sports drinks. For example, Biosteel’s blend contains sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium from ingredients like sea salt and calcium lactate. It provides a balanced approach to hydration during physical activity without relying heavily on just sodium like some sports drinks.
Proper hydration with electrolytes is important before, during and after exercise. An electrolyte blend like in Biosteel can help you avoid muscle cramps, improve endurance and recover faster. Just remember to still drink plenty of water too, as electrolytes work best when consumed with adequate fluids.
Coconut Water for Natural Hydration
Staying hydrated is key for performance, but plain water doesn’t cut it when you need electrolyte replenishment too. That’s where coconut water can come in handy as a more natural source of hydration. Brands like Biosteel include coconut water extract to provide hydration benefits including electrolytes like potassium.
Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside young, green coconuts. It contains a unique composition of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Here are some of the top ways it can benefit hydration:
For most workouts under 60 minutes, plain coconut water is adequate for hydration needs. But for endurance events over 90 minutes, additional sugars and electrolytes from mixes like Biosteel can boost hydration even further. The natural profile of coconut water electrolytes offers an ideal alternative to synthetic sports drinks.
Research also shows combining coconut water with things like whey protein or tart cherry juice can further enhance hydration. Overall, coconut water is Mother Nature’s sports drink that provides superior hydration in a refreshing, low-calorie beverage.
Vitamin C for Immunity
Engaging in regular exercise provides many health benefits, but it can also temporarily weaken your immune system and make you more prone to illness. That’s why hydration mixes like Biosteel contain vitamin C – it helps support immune function so you stay healthy.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient well known for its immune boosting properties. Here’s how getting enough vitamin C can be beneficial:
Because vitamin C is water-soluble and not stored in the body, regular daily intake is important to reap the benefits. Workouts can increase vitamin C requirements even further due to oxidative stress.
Many experts recommend at least 100-200 mg per day of vitamin C for adults. Sources like Biosteel hydration mix provide a convenient way for athletes to get supplemental vitamin C pre/post workout alongside fluids and electrolytes.
While vitamin C alone may not completely prevent illness, it serves as an integral part of a healthy immune-boosting routine. Combining supplemental vitamin C with proper hydration, nutrition, sleep and smart training can help you stay healthy and perform your best.
Betaine and Taurine for Energy
Maintaining your energy levels during demanding workouts requires the right nutritional support. That’s why sports drinks like Biosteel contain betaine and taurine – two compounds that can enhance energy production.
Betaine is a natural substance found in foods like beets that acts as an osmolyte and methyl donor in the body. Here are some of the ways it can provide an energy boost:
Taurine is a type of amino acid abundant in muscle tissue that also has energizing effects:
Together this one-two combo provides both physical and mental performance benefits. The boosted strength, endurance, power, focus and hydration from betaine and taurine can help you push harder and go longer during your workouts.
Of course, proper workout nutrition and preparation is still key. But adding betaine and taurine to your pre-workout routine via supplements like Biosteel can give you that extra edge when you need it.
Stevia Leaf Extract as Natural Sweetener
Hydration drinks can help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost during exercise, but many are loaded with artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives. That’s why natural sports drinks like Biosteel use stevia leaf extract as a zero-calorie sweetening alternative.
Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant native to South America. Here are some of the benefits of using stevia as a sports drink sweetener:
Look for brands like Biosteel that use only purified stevia extract, not whole leaf which can have a bitter aftertaste. With zero calories, carbs or artificial ingredients, stevia extract allows athletes to stay hydrated during exercise without the added sugar.
The bottom line is stevia is Mother Nature’s answer to enhancing the taste profile of sports drinks and hydration supplements in a natural way. So you can stay hydrated, replenish electrolytes and still avoid unwanted calories.
Potassium for Muscle Function
Proper muscle function relies heavily on electrolytes like potassium to contract and relax on cue. That’s why potassium is a key ingredient in hydration supplements like Biosteel.
Potassium is the most abundant electrolyte inside cells. Here are some of the reasons potassium is vital for optimizing muscle function:
While bananas are often cited as a high potassium food, a medium banana contains only about 400 mg potassium. Sports drinks like Biosteel provide up to 200 mg per scoop, making it easy to obtain adequate amounts conveniently.
Heavy sweating during intense or endurance exercise increases potassium losses substantially. That’s why active individuals need to pay close attention to replenishment via diet, supplementation or both. Getting sufficient potassium ensures your muscles keep firing properly all workout long.
Magnesium for Muscle Recovery
Intense exercise causes microscopic tears in muscle fibers that need to be repaired. Proper recovery relies on nutrients like magnesium that are easily depleted during workouts.
Magnesium plays several key roles in the body’s ability to recover from exercise-induced muscle damage:
Meeting increased magnesium needs from exercise is crucial because this mineral is lost through sweat and utilized rapidly during recovery.
Hydration supplements like Biosteel contain a highly bioavailable form of magnesium called magnesium aspartate. Consuming an additional 100-300 mg magnesium post-workout accelerates recovery by supporting several mechanisms involved in muscle repair and restoration.
Without adequate magnesium intake, you may experience impaired protein synthesis, inflammation, strength declines, and fatigue. Ensuring optimal magnesium levels makes the difference between bouncing back or feeling beat-up after intense training sessions.
Calcium for Bone Health
Most people associate calcium intake with building and maintaining strong bones, but it offers benefits for athletes as well. That’s why sports drinks like Biosteel contain calcium – it supports bone health in active individuals prone to deficiencies.
Physical activity, especially high-impact exercise, increases calcium needs. Here’s an overview of the important roles calcium plays for athletes:
Along with vitamin D, athletes need about 1000-1500 mg of calcium daily to meet demands from training. Biosteel contains calcium from calcium lactate – a highly bioavailable form shown to have excellent solubility and absorption.
Getting sufficient calcium ensures your skeletal system can keep up with the physical stresses of high performance training and competition. Don’t let inadequate calcium intake leave your bones vulnerable to injury.
Sodium to Replace What’s Lost in Sweat
Vigorous exercise in hot and humid conditions can lead to substantial sodium loss through heavy sweating. That’s why sports drinks like Biosteel contain sodium – to replace what’s lost to maintain optimal function.
Sodium is the principal electrolyte lost in sweat. Here’s an overview of why sodium intake matters for athletes:
Sports drinks provide sodium from sources like sea salt and sodium citrate. For those training longer than an hour in hot conditions, sports drinks are recommended over plain water to replenish sodium lost in sweat. Replacing what is lost maintains electrolyte balance and body function.
Monitoring salt losses and sodium intake will help you determine optimal individual needs. But for high-intensity training, getting enough sodium is key to maintaining performance and avoiding problems like muscle cramps or hyponatremia.
Zinc and Manganese for Overall Health
Hard training athletes have increased needs for minerals like zinc and manganese that perform many essential functions in the body. That’s why sports drinks like Biosteel include zinc and manganese to support overall health.
Zinc is an important trace mineral involved in numerous processes:
Manganese is another trace mineral with diverse functions:
Together, zinc and manganese serve as potent antioxidants while also supporting immunity, tissue repair, hormone function, digestion, bone health, and energy production. Athletes require up to 30% more than the RDA to meet increased demands from training. Supplementing sports drinks with zinc and manganese helps ensure these needs are met.
Glutamine to Support Muscle Gain
Athletes looking to build lean muscle mass need protein and amino acids to stimulate protein synthesis. That’s why some sports supplements like Biosteel contain glutamine – one of the most abundant amino acids in muscles.
Glutamine plays several key roles in supporting muscle growth including:
Glutamine depletion is a consequence of intense training that can suppress muscle gains. However, supplementation for several weeks has been shown to increase lean body mass.
Consuming 5-10 grams of glutamine post-workout provides the rebuilt raw materials needed for accelerated repair and growth. Biosteel contains vegan-sourced glutamine peptides to support muscle tissue.
Increasing glutamine availability reduces breakdown while enhancing protein synthesis, glycogen storage, immunity and gut health. If bigger muscle gains are the goal, make sure to include glutamine.
Vitamin B Complex for Energy Metabolism
The B complex vitamins play pivotal roles in energy production pathways needed to sustain exercise performance. That’s why sports drinks like Biosteel contain a vitamin B blend – to optimize energy metabolism.
Here’s a look at some of the key functions B vitamins perform:
Exercise stresses metabolic pathways that depend on B vitamins for optimal function. But B vitamins are water soluble and can be depleted during intense training.
Consuming a vitamin B complex supplement like Biosteel provides an insurance policy that energy metabolism has the necessary nutrients to perform at its best. This metabolic support translates to better endurance, power output and post-workout recovery from training.
While a balanced diet should provide baseline B vitamin needs, supplementation before or during exercise can help active individuals cover increased demands. Support energy metabolism for top-tier performance with a vitamin B complex.
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Kosher and Non-GMO
More athletes are adopting specialized diets and looking for supplements that fit their nutritional needs and preferences. That’s why sports drinks like Biosteel are formulated to be vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher and non-GMO.
Here’s an overview of why these considerations matter to health-conscious athletes:
Vegan – Contains no animal-derived ingredients making it suitable for ethical vegans and vegetarians. Vegan sources of nutrients like vitamin B12, iron and protein are utilized.
Gluten-Free – Does not contain gluten or ingredients derived from major allergens like wheat, barley and rye. Ideal for athletes with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Dairy-Free – Dairy allergies or intolerance is common. Dairy-free hydration options avoid lactose and milk-derived components.
Kosher – Adheres to Jewish dietary regulations and is certified kosher. Important for observant Jewish athletes.
Non-GMO – Uses only non-GMO ingredients to appeal to athletes wanting to avoid genetically engineered crops and additives.
Organic – Some brands use organic ingredients when possible to reduce pesticides and appeal to the organic consumer.
NSF Certified – Third party testing by NSF International verifies quality control and lack of banned substances.
These considerations allow athletes who follow plant-based, paleo, kosher or restricted diets for health or personal reasons to still benefit from sports drinks. It provides peace of mind that dietary limitations or sensitivities are being accommodated.
Carefully reviewing the ingredient list and certifications is the best way to evaluate if a product adheres to your individual needs and preferences. But options like Biosteel make it easier for athletes of all types to stay properly hydrated during training and competition.