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ShareLONDON: Sports enthusiasts now have a healthy reason for heading to a pub for a postmatch pint.
According to a research, a glass of beer is far better at rehydrating the body than water after exercise.
The sugar, salt and bubbles in a pint may help people absorb fluids more quickly, the study claims.
The study was conducted on 25 students of Granada University by Professor Manuel Garzon.
They were asked to run on a treadmill under stifling temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius until they were close to exhaustion.
Their hydration levels, concentrationability and motor skills were later measured by the researchers.
While half were given two half pints of Spanish lager to drink,the rest were provided water. Both groups were then allowed to drink as much water as they wanted.
Professor Garzon said the rehydration effect in the students who were given beer was slightly better than those given water.
The carbon dioxide in the drink helped quench the thirst quickly, while beer's carbohydrates replaced calories lost during physical exertion, Daily Mail quoted him as saying.
Based on the studies, the researchers recommended moderate consumption of beer - 500ml a day for men or 250ml for women - as part of an athlete's diet.
Beer contains malted barley, hops and yeast, which are rich sources of vitamins and minerals.
About a litre of water is lost for every hour of exercise in sweat. People who fail to rehydrate after exercise are more likelyto feel tired, fuzzyheaded and suffer headaches.
Past studies had shown that sensible drinking of one or two units a day can reduce the risk of heart disease, dementia, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
