Water is essential
but could there be something even better? Sports drinks and
“enhanced” waters are very popular among fitness enthusiasts but
are they really worth the price?
Sports drinks were
designed to replace fluids and electrolytes lost during physical
activity and to provide energy for muscles. When choosing a sports
drink, pick something that contains 6% carbohydrate in the form of
glucose, sucrose, and fructose, contains sodium, and does not contain
carbonation or caffeine.
A sports drink that
contains only fructose should be avoided because fructose slows fluid
absorption and can cause abdominal cramps. Carbonation can also cause
abdominal cramps and should be avoided as well. Caffeine can cause
dehydration which is why it should not be in a sports drink.
Sports drinks are an
excellent choice during physical activity but they are not necessary
unless you plan to sweat a lot. I would recommend sports drinks
during athletic events but I would not recommend them during a casual
walk since they provide calories that you may not need to consume.
Enhanced waters can
contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, antioxidants, and
fiber. Our bodies can only absorb a certain amount of the B vitamins
and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) will not be absorbed
without the presence of fat. Added fiber in enhanced waters is
usually maltodextrin, which is soluble and will not help with
regularity. Herbs added to water are usually not in high enough
amounts to offer any real protection.
Most enhanced waters
will not offer any long term benefits and most contain sugar, which
if not used as a form of energy, our bodies just convert it to fat.
