How Does Alkaline-Reduced Water Help Reduce Fatigue After Exercise?
The Remarkable Effects of Alkaline-Reduced Water on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and Fatigue
A recent study titled "Effects of Alkaline-Reduced Water on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and Fatigue" published in Processes, an open-access journal by MDPI, sheds light on this topic.
This study compared Alkaline-Reduced Water (ARW) to Purified Water (PRW).
Are you an athlete or fitness enthusiast looking to optimize your performance and recovery?
The solution might be simpler than you think.
An In-depth Look at the Clinical Trial
The clinical trial was a randomized, controlled, crossover, double-blind study that aimed to evaluate the effects of Alkaline-Reduced Water (ARW) on oxidative stress and fatigue following exhaustive exercise.
The participants, all healthy young males, were given either purified water or ARW after intense exercise.
Blood samples were collected at three stages: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 15 minutes after drinking water.
The researchers then measured the serum levels of oxidative stress markers and fatigue markers.
The Findings: Alkaline-Reduced Water's Impact on Oxidative Stress and Fatigue
The results were compelling. Consumption of ARW led to a significant reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels.
It also mediated an increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels after exercise.
Furthermore, fatigue markers such as lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, and phosphate were significantly reduced in both groups, with the ARW group showing more decreased markers.
Understanding Alkaline-Reduced Water (ARW)
ARW is a type of functional water that has an alkaline pH, active molecular hydrogen, a negative oxidation-reduction potential, and an ability to protect DNA from oxidative damage by scavenging ROS.
Its properties as an effective antioxidant and free-radical scavenger have been highlighted in several studies, and it has been shown to enhance athletes' hydration, anaerobic exercise performance, and increase fasting and post-exercise pH levels in the arteries1.
Results
This study looked at how drinking alkaline reduced water (ARW) after intense exercise affects stress, antioxidants, and tiredness in healthy people aged 18-25 years.
Participants tested both purified water (PW) and ARW after exercising. The results showed:
Stress markers (ROS and NO levels) went up after intense exercise, but drinking ARW lowered these levels more than PW did.
Antioxidant levels (GPx and MDA) also went up after exercise, but ARW lowered these levels more than PW did.
Lactate and LDH levels, which indicate tiredness, went up after exercise. Both PW and ARW lowered these levels, but ARW had a bigger effect.
The study found differences in how stress and tiredness markers were related before and after exercise, and between PW and ARW groups. Drinking ARW improved the relationship between certain antioxidants and tiredness markers.
Discussion
This study looked at how drinking alkaline reduced water (ARW) affects stress and tiredness after intense exercise in healthy young adults.
The results showed that ARW helped reduce stress caused by free radicals, improved antioxidant activity, and lowered tiredness levels after heavy exercise.
ARW is becoming popular in sports because it can improve exercise performance, hydration, and balance of acids in the body.
Intense exercise creates free radicals that cause muscle damage and stress. This stress plays a big role in feeling tired.
The study found that stress markers (ROS and NO) went up after intense exercise, but drinking ARW stopped these levels from increasing.
Antioxidant levels (GPx) also went up after exercise, but ARW lowered these levels, showing its antioxidant power.
ARW also protected the body from stress after heavy exercise by stopping lipid damage.
Tiredness markers (lactate and LDH) increased after intense exercise, but both purified water (PW) and ARW lowered these levels, with ARW being more effective.
This means that drinking either PW or ARW can help people feel less tired during exercise, but ARW works better.
More research is needed to understand how ARW affects the body and if it can help with other issues like acid buildup.
The study showed interesting connections between stress markers, antioxidants, and tiredness, giving insight into how ARW affects exercise stress.
ARW seemed to keep a good balance between antioxidants and tiredness markers after exercise, while PW did not.
The Conclusion: ARW as an Antioxidant and Anti-Fatigue Supplement
The study showed that ARW consumption effectively reduces oxidative stress and fatigue following exhaustive exercise, suggesting that it could be used as an antioxidant and anti-fatigue supplement after such physical activity.
In conclusion, the study suggests that drinking ARW might help reduce stress, improve antioxidant activity, and lessen tiredness after intense exercise for healthy individuals.