You’ve just spent an hour doing squats, burpees, leg raises, and lunges. The sweat is dripping from your forehead and you’re more than a little dehydrated. The first thing to do after an intense workout is replenish your body by giving it some water. And you may have noticed that it tastes a bit sweeter than usual. According to science, you’re not just imagining it.
A study has determined that sweet taste intensity and sensitivity increase after acute exercise. The reason, however, is not that clear-cut.
It’s possible some people find that minerals in water generally taste sweet, and this is only intensified after a hectic workout.
It could also be that the body has entered ketosis as a result of the extreme workout, during which it burns fat due to a lack of carbohydrates. One effect of ketosis is sweeter breath caused by the breakdown of ketones for energy. Hence, it may make water taste a little sweeter, too.
Regardless of the reason, or the flavor of the H2O, make sure that your body is properly hydrated even before you begin working out as it needs enough water to perform at its best.