Sports drinks are one of those things that you probably don't give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Then, suddenly, you're wondering how you'll ever get through your workout without them or why they exist at all. You may have even taken a swig of some nasty-tasting sports drink because you thought it was necessary, but really it wasn't. To help clear things up, here's the lowdown on sports drinks:
Sports drinks are just water, right?
Sports drinks are just water, right? Not exactly.
Yes, water is good for you and you should drink plenty of it every day. But sports drinks can also be good for you in certain situations--particularly when exercising or participating in high-intensity physical activity that lasts longer than one hour. That's because they have extra electrolytes (calcium and sodium) that help replace what your body loses during exercise through sweat. The problem comes when people start thinking that drinking a sports drink instead of regular water will somehow make them healthier overall--and this isn't true at all! In fact, overconsuming these sugary beverages has been linked with obesity because they contain so many calories and little else besides sugar or artificial sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup (the type used in most popular brands).
Why do sports drinks exist?
Sports drinks exist to help athletes perform better, recover more quickly and hydrate.
Sports drinks are a good way to get nutrients because they contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium that your body needs for muscle function. They also help you avoid cramps by replacing the sodium lost through sweat during exercise. Some sports drinks even contain carbohydrates that can be used by muscles for energy during training or competition.
In addition to being beneficial for athletes, there's evidence that regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may be linked with an increased risk of obesity or type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents (1).
But isn't water the best thing to drink?
Water is a great drink, but it's not the best thing to drink when you're exercising. Sports drinks are specially formulated to provide your body with key nutrients that water doesn't have: electrolytes (sodium and potassium), carbohydrates, and sometimes even caffeine. The reason for this is that exercise causes your body to sweat out more than just water--you also lose minerals like sodium and potassium through perspiration. Your muscles need these minerals in order to function properly during exercise; if they don't get them back quickly enough after sweating them out earlier on in your workout session, they'll become fatigued faster than normal and cramp up due to dehydration (which can lead to dizziness or fainting).
If you're concerned about calories from sports drinks containing sugar or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), don't worry--they won't make a dent in your daily caloric intake if consumed in moderation! Just keep track of how much sugar content goes into each serving size so that there aren't any surprises later down the line when trying out different flavors from various brands available on store shelves today."
Are all sports drinks created equal?
The first thing to consider is the ingredients. A lot of sports drinks contain sugar and artificial colorings, which can be harmful to you. You may also want to look at what kind of sweetener they use--some use sugar, while others opt for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS has been linked to obesity and diabetes, so if you're looking for a healthier alternative, try one with cane sugar as its main ingredient instead.
Another aspect of choosing a sports drink that's important is how much sodium it contains. Sodium helps replenish electrolytes lost through sweating during exercise and helps keep your body hydrated during long training sessions or competitions; however, there are different opinions on how much sodium should be in each bottle so make sure you read labels carefully before buying one!
So when should I drink a sports drink?
When you're exercising for more than an hour, or if it's hot out, or if you're exercising in cold weather and/or high humidity, or if you are working out at high altitude (or any other situation where your body is losing electrolytes and nutrients), then yes--a sports drink can help replenish those lost resources.
Sports drinks also work well to keep you hydrated during long workouts; they contain water plus electrolytes like sodium and potassium that can be absorbed into the body through the digestive system. Some studies have shown that drinking a sports drink before exercise helps reduce muscle cramps by keeping these electrolytes balanced during activity--but this effect only applies when people consume them in moderate amounts (around one cup). If someone drinks too much at once (more than four cups), then they may actually experience gastrointestinal distress due to excess fluid intake!
Sports drinks can be helpful when you're trying to lose weight or replenish electrolytes.
There are a few instances in which sports drinks can be helpful. If you're trying to lose weight, for example, or replenish electrolytes after strenuous exercise that lasts more than an hour (or in extreme heat), then sports drinks may be worth it.
But if you're just going for a run around the block every day--or even if your workout involves lifting weights at home--then plain water will do just fine.
The reason why: When we work out, our bodies use up energy and therefore become dehydrated quickly. That's why we sweat; it helps cool us down so that we don't overheat during exercise and cause ourselves harm from overheating. Drinks like Gatorade contain electrolytes such as sodium chloride (common table salt) which help replace what gets lost through sweat. Their high sugar content also provides energy for muscles during exercise.
Conclusion
So, should you drink a sports drink? It depends on what you're doing and how much water you're drinking. If you're exercising for more than an hour at a time, it's definitely worth considering. And if you just want something to drink while watching TV or playing video games, go ahead and have some water instead!
