Should You Choose a Sport Drink Over Water?

One of the most important aspects of working out is making sure you are staying well-hydrated. The question many ask is whether to choose a sports drink over water? The answer depends on factors such as the length, intensity and type of exercise while considering personal preferences. Your diet also plays a role in whether a sport drink will be beneficial.

Exercise raises the body temperature, which causes sweating and loss of water and salts. However, most people working out at a low to moderate intensity for sixty minutes or less are able to stick to water. It’s the perfect choice for rehydration. Not only is it calorie free but it also moves rapidly from the stomach through the body via the blood stream. For an added bonus, it costs much less than sports drinks.

Let’s take a look at both water and sports drinks to see the pros and cons of each. This will allow you to make a more informed decision as to which one you choose.

Water

This is the usual and natural choice to rehydrate the body. It happens to hydrate better than sports drinks, both before and during any exercise routine. With it being less expensive in comparison to other choices, it’s also more readily available. Since you need to drink ½ to 1 cup of fluid for every 15-20 minutes of exercise, water is obviously the less expensive choice.

One problem with this choice is the fact that some people find that water is bland in taste. As a result of this blandness they will drink less than necessary. Water is the best option, but it only works properly if you drink enough to remain hydrated. If taste is your only reason for not choosing water, there are many ways to flavor your water lightly.

Sports Drinks

Many people find sports drinks to be more tasty and appealing than water due to their variety of flavors and colors. People are more likely to consume more liquids with sports drinks as a result of these factors. However, they do not hydrate the body as well as water.

They won’t quench your thirst the same way water does. This will result in you drinking more of it. The carbohydrate content in these sports drinks may give you a boost, in addition to the replacement of electrolytes which you may have lost while perspiring.

But pay attention to the calories and sodium in the sports drinks. Many do not need the sodium and this will cause water retention and can lead to other issues if taking in too much.

Water versus Sports Drinks for Children

Kids are more susceptible to dehydration than adults when actively participating in physical activity. There are several reasons for this:

* They have a lower sweat rate (not only on a per gland basis, but in general).
* Tolerance for extreme temperatures is less efficient.
* There is more skin surface in relation to their body weight being exposed. As a result heat is gained in extreme temperatures.
* Their hearts pump less blood.
* They have a slower adjustment to exercising when doing so in a hot environment.

Since children are more likely to consume sports drinks over water, give your child a sports drink to consume before, during and after sports. This can reduce the risk of dehydration significantly, thus preventing other heat-related illness as well.

Sports drinks may have the added benefit of calories which could enhance energy and endurance. They are also handy for reducing muscle damage when extreme sports are part of your physical fitness routine. This would include marathons and other workouts that take more than 60 minutes.

However, for workouts lasting shorter periods of time or of lower impact, water is by far your better choice. It’s also more readily available and has the ability to hydrate the body quickly if enough is consumed.