Sports Drinks

How Necessary Are Sports Drinks?

     Another common weight loss supplement that you may hear about are sports drinks which are touted to increase you energy so you can work out more. But when exactly do you need more than water to replenish the body's fluid losses? Only when you are a committed athlete with and intense training schedule do you really need these supplements.

     It's time to add energy (carbohydrates) to your drink if you work out vigorously for over an hour or at a moderate pace for over two hours. You are likely to suffer from fatigue or loss of endurance, if you are not supplementing with carbohydrates.

     It is recommended to dilute fruit juices half and half with water to give you a refreshing drink that serves up about the same amount of carbohydrates as most sports drinks - about 6 to 8 percent by weight. Drinking higher-carb fluids - whether juice or sports drinks - will slow absorption and may cause cramping.

Do Sports Drinks With Electrolytes Improve Fitness?

     Do you need a variety of electrolytes such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium that are provided in many sports drinks? What electrolytes do is improve a beverage's taste and lead to increased fluid consumption. As well, they may improve water and glucose absorption. Some studies have shown that beverages with glucose and electrolytes are more efficient for maintaining your body's fluid balance, but electrolytes are certainly not essential.

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