Ever since Gatorade was introduced to the masses, people seem to think it has to be downed with even the slightest amount of activity. Not!
Electrolytes are best in times of illness, to replace certain minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium, etc. But, I don't know many runners who would down Pedialyte! Instead, we'll reach for more palatable Accelerade or Powerade, or something similar. Accelerade is the only sports drink, at the time of this writing, that also contains protein.
There are sports drinks, like Propel, that are probably okay for average/moderate activity. One does lose salt during workouts, and you still need hydration. Sports drinks are better for hydration during and after, even before, rigorous workouts, as water alone cannot provide enough of the nutrients or minerals lost, or needed, for energy and recovery.
Crazy people like me, who are almost continually in training, require refueling and recovery sports drinks. Yes, there is a difference! But, we need the high carb content to help replace glycogen stores used by our muscles in vigorous workouts.
A really good discussion of hydration and sports drinks can be found in "Performance Nutrition for Runners," by Matt Fitzgerald http://www.rodalestore.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10002&storeId=10051&productId=43339&langId=-1
Otherwise, most people probably would not get much benefit from daily intake of sports drinks. Vitamin-enriched drinks, maybe. Personally, I think most people would gain bigger benefits from making their own carrot apple juice.
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Ever since Gatorade was introduced to the masses, people seem to think it has to be downed with even the slightest amount of activity. Not!
Electrolytes are best in times of illness, to replace certain minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium, etc. But, I don't know many runners who would down Pedialyte! Instead, we'll reach for more palatable Accelerade or Powerade, or something similar. Accelerade is the only sports drink, at the time of this writing, that also contains protein.
There are sports drinks, like Propel, that are probably okay for average/moderate activity. One does lose salt during workouts, and you still need hydration. Sports drinks are better for hydration during and after, even before, rigorous workouts, as water alone cannot provide enough of the nutrients or minerals lost, or needed, for energy and recovery.
Crazy people like me, who are almost continually in training, require refueling and recovery sports drinks. Yes, there is a difference! But, we need the high carb content to help replace glycogen stores used by our muscles in vigorous workouts.
A really good discussion of hydration and sports drinks can be found in "Performance Nutrition for Runners," by Matt Fitzgerald http://www.rodalestore.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10002&storeId=10051&productId=43339&langId=-1
Otherwise, most people probably would not get much benefit from daily intake of sports drinks. Vitamin-enriched drinks, maybe. Personally, I think most people would gain bigger benefits from making their own carrot apple juice.
February 29, 2008 - 6:06pmThis Comment
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