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Thirst Quenchers

Contributed by: NAPSA

Fueling Workouts And Staying Hydrated-Naturally

(NAPSA) - Sports drinks have become an essential component of the athlete's diet. Not only do they help with hydration but they supply the carbohydrates that are essential for fueling the exercising muscles.

Honey, a natural source of readily available carbohydrates, has been a popular choice of athletes for centuries. Today, athletes can enjoy the benefits of honey during exercise by using it in energy-boosting homemade sports drinks.

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of poor athletic performance. Having on hand cooled and flavored beverages during a workout or athletic event is an excellent way to help encourage greater fluid intake.

Another common cause of poor performance is glycogen depletion. Also known as "hitting the wall," glycogen depletion is a situation frequently seen during endurance exercise in which the body's carbohydrate storage becomes severely reduced. Athletes can reduce their risk of "hitting the wall" by consuming carbohydrates during exercise.

Honey is a natural source of carbohydrates, providing 17 grams per tablespoon. The unique carbohydrate composition of honey (nearly equal amounts of fructose and glucose) allows for a sustained release of energy during exercise and makes honey especially well suited for use in replenishing sports drinks that can be easily and inexpensively prepared at home.

Following are some honey-enriched recipes that are perfect for hydration and carbohydrate replacement. At approximately 24 cents per 8-ounce serving, these easy-to-prepare, thirst-quenching beverages are both economical and delicious!

Honey Orange Thirst Quencher

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon lite salt*
• 2 cups orange juice
• 51/2 cups water

* Lite salt is a combination of sodium and potassium chloride found in most grocery stores.