Sports Drinks

A Guide To Energy Boosting Sports Drinks

By now, we have all read the reports that stress the importance of keeping yourself hydrated while playing sports or engaging in an active exercise routine. Dieticians and scientists studying exercise have invested a great amount of research into the area of sports drinks. Sports drinks, which usually contain electrolytes, carbohydrates, flavor and other ingredients, were created to provide you with both carbohydrates and fluid that is easily absorbed into your body through your small intestine.

Finding the Right Sports Drink for YOU

Carbohydrates act as a fuel for your muscles. When a sports drink contains carbohydrates at a concentration level less than 8%, your body absorbs it quickly. If the carbohydrate concentration level is higher than 8%, then the absorption of water will be slow. Carbohydrates can be added to sports drinks in the form of sucrose, fructose, glucose or glucose polymer.

Potassium, sodium and at times magnesium are included in sports drinks as electrolytes. Sodium is said to be added in order to stimulate the absorption of water and carbohydrates from your small intestine. The majority of sports drinks contain up to 25mmol/L of sodium, which increases thirst and encourages you to drink more of the product.

A few sports drink manufacturers also include minerals, herbs, vitamins, protein and caffeine in their products. Many athletes replace only half of the fluid that is lost during active sports; therefore, it is crucial that sports drinks have a pleasing taste that will encourage athletes to drink more and more. Be leery of sports drinks that make big promises and claim unbelievable results. Learn more about sports nutrition here.

Finding the sports drink that suits you best depends greatly on personal preferences. Many sports drink manufacturers usually adhere to a basic formula, so the main difference among brands is taste. The more favorable you find the taste of a sports drink, the more likely you will be to drink more of them to replace important fluids that are lost during physical activities.

Healthy sports drinks are effective in preventing dehydration while playing and exercising. These drinks compensate for the energy that is lost when you perspire. Experts advise individuals who regularly engage in sports to consume sports drinks to restore energy levels.

Your body uses water to regulate your body temperature as well as transport nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. People who sweat often like athletes and sports enthusiasts risk dehydration. If you desire excellence in sports, then you must be as healthy as possible. A great deal of hydration is lost through perspiration during sports activities, leading to dehydration and depletion of necessary minerals and nutrients, which provide your body with energy. A healthy sports drink is an ideal supplement to meet your hydration and energy requirements for good health.

High quality sports drinks provide you with an instant boost in energy that lasts longer than a few hours. This is because the best sports drinks are made up of healthy ingredients such as protein and minerals, instead of sweeteners and caffeine.

Remember to always check with a trusted health care professional before adding any type of supplement to your health routine.