Isotonic, Hypotonic & Hypertonic Explained | Which Is Best To Drink On The Bike?

Isotonic sports drinks are widely available and the benefits of drinking them have been known to cyclists for some time - but what actually are they, and what does the term 'isotonic' even mean? Conor and Manon are here to explain how isotonic, hypertonic and hypotonic drinks can all be used in different ways to help riders perform better.
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[@Aeronwor]

In Hungary we have the perfect sports drink, taken from Germany (Austria?), Radler (meaning cyclist in english) is half lemonade, half beer, giving you all carbs, vitamins and minerals to complete your ride. Alternatively, wine and soda water also work, though different vitamins may be included.

[@novacolonel5287]

Germany. It's very origin is from Hamburg, where it's called "Alsterwasser" - Alster being the river, wasser meaning water and it was highly popular with cyclists in the 19th century...continuing today :)

[@cellarman1223]

Lagertonik. Works for me.

[@fukawitribe]

Ginantonic FTW.

[@chanito_nyc]

Says Dan

[@fotomaxk6299]

IsoBeer is my favorite 😁

[@sasham6486]

these videos are helpful

[@Terrierized]

Great thumbnail, how many times did you guys need to pick up your bottles? 😃

[@francescakray233]

Hello. I/Francesca train Boxing. And have always drank Isotonic drinks. I did not realize that there was Hypotonic and Hpertonic drinks. Thanks for the lesson. I find a Whey drink with Isotonic drink effective for my trains. Thank you. The Bull of Lewisham.

[@GCNTraining]

Glad we could help! 👌

[@francescakray233]

What, I meant to say is, I find Whey good, and isotonic drinks good. They are both good to take.

[@RazzFazz-Race]

just mix maltodextrin and salt in your water. Its cheaper and as good as commercial drinks

[@marty197666]

If you’d been around in 1990 you’d remember John Barnes explaining that Lucozade sport was in balance with your body fluids! After 90 minutes of sheer hell I think he said

[@arinjayurs378]

I learnt Isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic in a biological way (during school)

[@JuanCarlosPieschacon]

I prefer "Gin&Tonic" anyway. love your videos.

[@Terrierized]

Way to go! but only one per hour 😂

[@4nz-nl]

On your bike rides? Wonder how that works for you :-)

[@andrewwade5618]

…Absorbed from bloodstream to gut??!!?? ….Your physiology must be special Connor😉

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Hypertonic drinks require moving water from the vascular system into the small intestine and then back again with whatever carbohydrates that are present. Maltodextrin is changed into an intermediate complex carb, where sucrose/fructose/dextrose/glucose are all transported as glucose. And 90 grams/hour is just about maximum capacity after lots of training.

[@xxcusme]

how about oxygen water?

[@matthewbaynham6286]

So how does a cup of tea compare to that?

[@Terrierized]

You carry tea? 😄

[@matthewbaynham6286]

@@Terrierized I'm not going to tell you all my secrets.

[@chapmag6578]

@@matthewbaynham6286 oh please do :)

[@jojoUK120]

@@Terrierized yup, can't beat a hot thermos break on scenic winter lockdown rides- for solo rides who cares about weight.

[@Giannis_Sarafis]

I did it once, and all the insects of the area flew around me. Top speed achieved!

[@Bicycle_ty]

40oz of malt liquor & a blunt

[@FatBlokeDoingStuff]

He's a dad, he can't help it.

[@Yoshi92]

2:39 "Use them when you wanna pack in the calories quickly, not when staying hydrated is a priority" I don't understand.... Isn't staying hydrated priority #1 absolutely & always???

[@Terrierized]

To cut corners I just add half teaspoon iodized salt to my bottle

[@jimcappa6815]

I use 1/4 tsp salt, juice of 1/2 lemon, and a squeeze of honey. The lemon add some electrolytes, and of course some carbs from the honey.

[@cyrielvaningelgem5180]

Victor Campenaerts use only hypertonic: 500ml/hour, no gels, no bars, a lot of pee

[@DanielHawkOboe]

I prefer GinAndTonic

[@UbzUnclemax]

0:58 "Isotonic drinks can be absorbed relatively quickly from your bloodstream into your gut"? Rechecking the content from time to time doesn't harm ;-)

[@jonmcgoey1772]

the same booboo happens at 3:10, where water is said to move naturally from an area of low concentration to high concentration via osmosis.

[@KermitFrogThe]

@@jonmcgoey1772 It's good to see you're both paying attention in class. Now 100 lines each 'I mustn't embarass teacher by being pedantic' Personally I like pedantic humour, especially because we aren't set up to automatically see errors like this.

[@unitedstatesofgreatbritain6238]

@@jonmcgoey1772 what's wrong about it?

[@jonmcgoey1772]

@@unitedstatesofgreatbritain6238 all molecules move from a state of high concentration to lower concentration. Osmosis is just the special case of the movement of water molecules. Pure water has a concentration of 100%; a solution of let's say 5% glucose is essentially 95% water and 5% glucose. If you separate those solutions with a semi permeable membrane (I.e., one that allows water molecules to diffuse, but not glucose molecules), water will move from its 100% side into where its concentration is lower (the 95%). side. *Viewing from only the glucose standpoint*, water does appear to move from a region of low concentration (of glucose) to a region of higher concentration (of glucose). It's a sloppy yet common mistake, similar to saying of a poorly insulated jacket that "it lets cold air get in" (vs the actual motive force being that hot air is escaping).

[@unitedstatesofgreatbritain6238]

@@jonmcgoey1772 Ahh thanks, now I get it

[@backfireisback]

apple juice mixed with water.

[@Hannes223311]

So basically a coke a day is a great "training" for your Gran Fondos😅😅

[@mrworldwide1213]

if you add a pinch of salt you're basically a pro

[@TheRebuilt1]

lol!

[@thenetnet1343]

Any chance of Manon and tonic?? Such pretty eyes!

[@alexhuevera939]

just drink water

[@wasupwitdat1mofiki94]

I always do the Hypotonic. Less expensive. I don't buy in to the marketing of Sports Nutrition. Same thing with Ad Blockers when watching videos. I don't need to be brainwashed.