When it comes to important things to remember for your next bridge game or tournament, it’s not conventions or clever tricks that comes to mind first – but health.

Amateur and professional sports place a great deal of emphasis (and millions in marketing) behind ensuring that athletes are in good health. Hydration of athletes is prized by their doctors, insurance companies, and certainly their sponsors.

Is basic hydration considered just as important before you take on a bridge match?

If not, it should be, and it’s worth more discussion and thought for all players out there.

Here’s a look at different drink pairings for bridge (and how they’re good or bad for your bridge game).

First, Which Drinks Aren’t Best For Bridge?

1. Energy drinks

Energy drinks are a popular choice, especially in mind-sports. Caffeine can alert the brain and up circulation, but carries added dangers and side-effects for those with sensitivity or health issues.

For side-effects which include irritability, nausea, stomach upset, and an increased heart rate, don’t go overboard on caffeine-containing energy drinks before (or after) bridge.

2. Flavoured teas

Flavoured tea seems like a great idea, but certain flavourings can have adverse effects.

Avoid teas with mint if you have diagnosed or suspected cardiac or blood pressure problems. Avoid artificial flavourings found in others (ready-made iced teas) if you are sensitive to them. Some might be high in sugar or artificial sweeteners, two components your mind can do without at a bridge game.

Other teas, such as rooibos, has the added effect of drawing iron from the body. Avoid if you have any health issues linked to the production of blood.

3. Diet & sugar-free sodas

Diet and sugar-free sodas seem like the healthier option, but a great deal of the population react negatively to artificial sweeteners found in these drinks.

If you have a sensitivity to sweeteners, you might display symptoms that includes lethargy and loss of focus. Stomach upset can also be triggered in some people.

Could your diet-drink be worsening your bridge game?

Switch to something else and see if it improves.

Better Drink Choices For Bridge Games

1. Clear fruit juice

“Clear” fruit juice refers to anything one can see straight through, such as apple juice. Clearer juices are more likely to serve the purpose of hydrating the body, without overloading it in other components that could slow you down.

If your body finds it an uncomfortable adaptation, thin juices out with water (or soda water, if you prefer) for a difference.

The only thing to watch? Potential sugar content with some types of juice can be high.
    

2. Coffee

Coffee is available in different types and roasts, too many to mention in one post – but that speaks to its extreme versatility.

If you want to wake your brain up without driving your nerves over the edge, consider coffee. Make it as weak (or strong) as your bridge game needs, and choose the roast that you personally prefer.

3. Sports drinks

Sports drinks are advertised to the physically active for a reason: they hydrate, and replace lost minerals within the body. Why wouldn’t that be just as useful if you’re a player of mind-sports?

Watch consumption if you are sensitive to salt (for example, with high-blood pressure or heart issues). Other than this, sports drinks might be a much healthier choice than drinks with fizz and sugar.