Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: diverjohn on 23/09/2019 22:48:57

Title: For Athletes, how does the Carbohydrate Mouth Wash work?
Post by: diverjohn on 23/09/2019 22:48:57

When I run a long race I lose water & salt and consume carbohydrates (glucose mostly), all of which must be replenished if we wish to avoid crashing into the pavement. Sugary sports drinks are available to runners but they are usually made from a powder and not mixed well so that as time passes the bottom layer becomes a syrup that causes me to gag.
The latest advice I heard is that we don't have to drink the sometimes sickening sugary drinks supplied along the route, but instead to take a big sip and slosh it around one's mouth before spitting it out.
What is the advantage of doing this? I can see the psychological benefit but can we absorb any appreciable nutrition through the oral membrane?

Title: Re: For Athletes, how does the Carbohydrate Mouth Wash work?
Post by: chris on 24/09/2019 08:45:00

Hi John

Good question. Oral absorption is a lot more effective than you might think. Glucose is a small molecule and the mouth has an excellent blood supply. Rubbing glucose gel around the gum line is an effective rescue for a diabetic with hypoglycaemia. So the absorption is quite good. Not as good as swallowing the whole lot, but not bad.

Watch your teeth though! As former Olympic cyclist Dan Gordon was discussing on the Naked Scientists recently, a recent study showed that athletes' teeth are often in a shocking state (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/bee-keeping-scientists)...