Effects of beverages with variable nutrients on rehydration and cognitive function.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Nutrition
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Maintaining hydration and cognitive function is crucial for athletes during recovery.
• Different beverages vary in their ability to restore fluid balance and support cognitive processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CE), lemon tea (LT), and distilled water (DW) on rehydration and cognitive performance.
• To compare the efficacy of these beverages following moderate exercise.

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover study involving 9 males and 10 females.
• Participants completed 60 minutes of moderate exercise followed by a 4-hour recovery period.
• Beverages (CE, LT, DW) were consumed at 150% of body mass lost during exercise.
• Cognitive tests assessed performance at baseline, post-exercise, and post-recovery.

Main Results:

• Female participants showed significantly lower body mass restoration with DW and LT compared to CE.
• Cognitive performance accuracy, particularly in working memory, was higher with CE and LT versus DW for both sexes.
• CE demonstrated superior rehydration effects in females.

Conclusions:

• Both lemon tea (LT) and carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CE) offer benefits for maintaining cognitive performance during short-term recovery.
• Carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CE) is more effective for rehydration in female athletes compared to LT and DW.
• Beverage choice significantly impacts rehydration status and cognitive function post-exercise.