Posts Tagged ‘sports drinks’

How To Select A Healthy Sports Drink

The human body greatly benefits from sports drinks. It prevents dehydration and also helps in compensating for all the energy that our body losses through perspiration while exercising. Sports energy drinks give instant and long lasting energy to the body. They contain the right balance and proportion of essential nutrients like sodium, calories, proteins and other minerals. Sports drinks are devoid of any stimulants or drugs and meet energy requirements. In fact sports energy drinks are recommended by health experts. So whether you go to the gym and do only minor exercises or whether you play professionally, energy sports drinks have a lot to offer. They curb tiredness, so that you don’t exhaust yourself. An d you are also more prepared to face a new set of physical activities the next day. Your energy levels can be given a real boost with energy drinks.

Energy sports drinks can be found in various flavours and to suit different functions. You should choose a drink that is suited for your requirements. Good drinks will keep you healthy. Take care to read the ingredients of any sports drink that you pick up. It should not contain caffeine, drugs or any artificial stimulants. These can be harmful for your body. Artificial agents will have no benefits for you in the long run. A good sports energy drink is one that actually has real benefits. It should make your body healthy from inside without resorting to harmful substances. Therefore, be aware before you pick and choose any energy drink. Remember, energy drinks are not drugs therefore keep away from those that use powerful drugs to stimulate energy in the body.

» Read more: How To Select A Healthy Sports Drink

The Benefits of Electrolytes in Sports Drinks

It has been 50 years since the sports drink was introduced to athletes in the United States. The first sports drink, Bengal Punch, was given to athletes at Louisiana State University in 1958. Gatorade, the most recognizable name in sports drinks, debuted the following decade at the University of Florida and revolutionized the way athletes energize and re-hydrate themselves during a sporting event.

» Read more: The Benefits of Electrolytes in Sports Drinks

Are Sports Drinks Better Than Water?

Experts tell us that water is the best liquid of all to hydrate you after exercise – but only if you drink it. Which brings us to taste. Sports drinks usually taste better than plain water, which means we will drink more. Any drink that is high in sugar will take longer to be absorbed into the body, therefore it will take longer to get re-hydrated. That is one reason that water is the best. It is absorbed very quickly. Coffee, tea and alcohol should not be used for re-hydration at all due to their diuretic action; leave them to enjoy at a later date. If you don’t like the taste of water, you are likely to stop drinking before your body is sufficiently hydrated. Of the up side, water is free and will not add any more calories, no matter how much you drink.

The benefit of sports drinks is that they supply electrolytes which may have been lost if the exercise was long and heavy, such as in a game like football or hockey. The usual sweet/tart taste of a sports drink does not actually quench your thirst, so you’ll drink more. That will ensure that your body is re-hydrated. You’ll get more carbohydrates from a sports drink, but not as many as fruit juices offer.

» Read more: Are Sports Drinks Better Than Water?

Sports Drinks Or Water After Your Workout?

The answer lies in the amount of time you’ll be exercising, your drink preferences, and your pre-exercise hydration level.

Water hydrates best for people who are exercising between 25 and 45 minutes.

Only the true endurance athletes really need sports drinks to replace their sodium loss from sweat.

» Read more: Sports Drinks Or Water After Your Workout?