Do Energy Drinks Actually Work?

by Diet Detective Editorial Staff
Friday, 07 July 2006
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, gym rat or competitive athlete, chances are you’ve purchased a sports drink at one time or another. Here's the low down on these concoctions. Drinking enough fluid is essential in order to reach your maximum athletic potential. Inadequate hydration can result in fatigue, poor coordination, dizziness, headache, muscle cramping and even death. Believe it or not, plain old water is all you need in most cases to prevent the dangers of dehydration. In fact, water is The Best choice for moderately paced activities that are less than 90 minutes in duration. If you're chugging a 16 oz sports drink before your 30-minute walk or jog, you're wasting both money and calories. On the other hand, sports drinks are a good choice if you plan to participate in intense activities lasting 60-90 minutes. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, contain sugar, sodium and potassium. The sugar provides fuel(calories) and taste. The sodium and potassium enhance fluid absorption making them a good choice to keep you well hydrated DURING cardiovascular activity. Look for sports drinks containing no more than 20 grams of carbohydrate per 8 oz serving. Avoid those containing more than 20 grams per 8 oz serving, such as soft drinks, juices or sports drinks marketed as "energy" drinks (ie Carbo Boost). The extra carbohydrate in these drinks will take longer to be absorbed and converted to the energy your body needs to perform. You can also make your own sports drink by mixing half a cup of fruit juice with half a cup of water. Fluid Guidelines: Drink 2 cups cool water about 2 hours before training and another 1 to 2 cups of water about 15 minutes before your workout. Drink 4 to 6 oz (1/2 to 3/4 cup) of cool water, diluted fruit juice or sport drink every 10 to 15 minutes during competition or workout. Weigh before and after an athletic event or intense workouts exceeding 90 minutes. Replace 2 cups fluid for every 1 pound lost. Avoid caffeine-containing beverages and alcohol. Bookmark: Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (2) Subscribe to this comment's feed ... written by Witney Whitecock, March 27, 2007 What are other drinks that do NOT work? Good Job on the web site dudes, you really helped me with my project on how to live a better and spiritual life. Amen! ... written by baz, November 02, 2006 good work team Write comment Name Title Comment
Last Updated ( Friday, 07 July 2006 )