Licence to drink and drive
It's going to be hot so remember to stay hydrated at this weekend's The New Paper SUVival Challenge
Tackling a cross-country drive while solving clues in unrelenting weather is tiring and sweaty work.
But if you're tempted to hold back from drinking too much for fear of not being able to find a toilet and possibly disrupting your race momentum at the TNP SUVival Challenge this weekend, don't.
Dehydration is something participants should watch out for, said Dr Ben Tan, who heads Changi General Hospital's sports medicine department.
To prevent this, drink when you need to, he said.
While drinking water may be enough, you could also consider isotonic drinks such as H-TWO-O.
STRENUOUS
Dr Tan said long-distance driving may not be as strenuous and demanding as running a marathon, but participants should still drink to prevent dehydration.
"Why wait till your sugar and salt levels run out before you replenish? You could replace them as you go along without having to touch your stores," he said.
He also noted that isotonic drinks tend to be flavourful compared to plain water, making them more palatable. Their concentration levels of salt and sugar are also optimised for absorption.
Water, by contrast, may result in the person feeling bloated if it's not absorbed well, and ends up staying in the stomach or intestine.
"You will notice that the sodium and potassium amounts in isotonic drinks are quite specific, and that is because they are formalised for maximum absorption," he said.
Nonetheless, he also warned against the dangers of overhydrating - which can result in hyponatraemia, where too much water causes a dip in sodium levels in the blood.
This could leave the person disoriented or even unconscious.
Why wait till your sugar and salt levels run out before you replenish? You could replace them as you go along without having to touch your stores.
- Dr Ben Tan, who heads Changi General Hospital's sports medicine department
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