OsmolalityTesting for Sports, Energy Drinks and Beverages
Osmolality is a measurement of the total number of
solutes in a liquid solution or beverage. Osmolality testing is something that
has now become important because sports and energy drinks are now consumed to
hydrate the body after strenuous physical activity. Ideal osmolality is not
considered so important when beverages are imbibed in a resting state.However,
consumers do like to have beverages that have low osmolality because of
increased ‘pleasantness’ and ‘refreshing’ feel of the beverages.
Need for osmolality testing
There are some sports drinks that are labelled as
isotonic. This means that the concentration of solute content is the same as
that of blood cells. It is easier to absorb isotonic beverages. Electrolytes need to have a specific
concentration of solutes for them to be labelled as isotonic. This is why osmolality testing
is required to ensure that the sports and energy drinks contain the
concentration of solutes which will effectively do what they claim to do. If
sports and energy drinks do not have ideal osmolality measurements they will
not be successful in preventing dehydration,fatigue due to energy loss and
neither will they replenish electrolytes.
Hypertonic and Hypotonic osmolality
Some drinks like soft drinks and other beverages and even
fruit juices are termed hypertonic, which means the concentration of solutes in
them is higher than that of the blood cell. Hypertonic drinks are not so good
at rehydrating the body especially after work-outs and other exercises. They
also have the tendency to draw out water from the gut which increases
dehydration. On the other hand, hypotonic drinks have lower concentration of
solutes and so they are effective in rehydrating the body quickly, like sports
and energy drinks. Testing laboratories carry out osmolality testing to
determine that solutes are of the right concentration so sports persons can use
them for effective hydration.
Requirement for Osmolality
Sports and energy drinks are considered to be indispensable
when sportspersons consume them to achieve their daily carbohydrate intake.
They also have such drinks as it prevents fatigue and exhaustion when
practicing for competitive sports or when participating in them. It is
important for sports and energy drinks to have the maximum level of osmolality.
Companies that manufacture sports drinks take the services of food testing
laboratories to test for osmolality so sportspersons get the benefit they
expect. To ensure that osmolality measurements are accurate in sports and
energy drinks testing labs carry out analysis so all solvents are at expected
levels.
Osmolality testing for labels
If osmolality levels are not at the maximum level then rehydration
will not be rapid and sportspersons will not benefit. Also some companies
reduce sugar levels in their drinks and if sportspersons are looking to
energise themselves besides hydration then it would not work for them. Some
commercial sports and energy drinks manufacturers have begun to display
osmolality measurements on the labels and for that they use services of food
testing labs to estimate the total
concentration of solutes in beverages so sportspersons can select the right
hydrating solution.