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Water vs. sport and energy drinks
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(photo: Business Wire)
Ever wonder what the difference is when choosing between water, fitness water, energy drinks and sports drinks? There are several important differences that you should know about, so think before you drink.
Water is always an excellent choice. It has no calories and provides many of the electrolytes your body normally needs. It does not provide energy or mineral replacement aside from the electrolytes, just fluid replacement. It’s also very inexpensive, particularly filtered tap water, as opposed to fitness, sports and energy drinks or even bottled water.
To avoid dehydration, it’s important to sip water throughout the day to keep electrolyte levels in balance and drink water before, during, and after exercise. However, during intense exercise that lasts an hour or more or that occurs during hot weather, the body may need the carbohydrates and electrolytes found in sports drinks to keep muscles from cramping.
Sports drinks usually contain an optimal amount of carbohydrates to enhance fluid replacement, along with small amounts of minerals that can be lost in sweat. These are a good choice for athletes or for those who exercise for long periods of time (more than an hour). However, since the calories can really add up, it’s best to stick with water when exercising less than an hour in duration or when not exercising at all and choosing a beverage simply to quench your thirst.
Take note that these drinks are often sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to weight gain and other adverse health effects. Be aware of portion sizes too, as a 16 or 20-ounce sport drink is two to two and half servings per bottle respectively, and you are doubling the calories (and other ingredients) if you drink the full bottle.
Energy drinks may contain large amounts of carbohydrates and calories. Their “energy” is actually derived from stimulants such as caffeine as opposed the carbohydrates. These drinks usually have high doses of caffeine. They also have the potential to cause adverse side effects if consumed in large quantities or while on medications that contain stimulants or stimulant-like properties. Energy drinks are not a fluid replacement beverage. In fact, they can have a diuretic, or fluid loss effect. This makes them a poor choice to consume when exercising in the heat or possibly when exercising in general.
Fitness water is typically water with some added vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates that provide the flavoring. However, these drinks provide only negligible amounts of nutrients. Since they are much more expensive than water they may only be worth the added expense if you like the taste enough that it encourages you to drink more fluids. Consider diluting them with water or using them to enhance plain water to offset the extra cost and still give you an alternative to water.
Bottom Line
Since our bodies are mostly comprised of water, it makes sense to replenish them with it. The sweeteners in sports drinks, energy drinks and fitness water, not to mention the added expense, may ultimately leave you still thirsty for the real thing anyway.
For more info: www.examiner.com/x-6785-Wilmington-Wellness-Examiner~y2009m5d4-Mineral-help-for-muscle-cramps
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