Sports drink

A sports drink is a beverage designed to help athletes rehydrate, as well as replenish electrolytes, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, which can be depleted after training or competition. Electrolyte replacement promotes proper rehydration, which is important in delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise. As the primary fuel utilized by exercising muscle, carbohydrates are important in maintaining exercise and sport performance. [ cite journal | last = Casa | first = D.J. | year = 2000 | title = National Athletic Trainers’ Association position statement: Fluid replacement for athletes | journal = J. Athl. Train | issue = 35 | pages = 212–224 ] [ cite journal | last = Sawka | first = M.N. | year = 2007 | title = American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Exercise and fluid replacement | journal = Med. Sci. Sports Exerc | issue = 39 | pages = 377–390 ]

Categories of sports drinks

Sports drinks can be split into three major types. [ [http://www.mamashealth.com/access/edrink.asp Sports energy drinks: pros and cons of drinking them ] ] :*Isotonic sports drinks contain proportions of water and other nutrients similar to the human body, and typically are six to eight percent sugar.:*Hypertonic sports drinks contain a lesser proportion of water, and a greater proportion of sugar, than the human body.:*Hypotonic sports drinks contain a greater proportion of water, and a lesser proportion of sugar, than the human body.

Most sports drinks are isotonic, having between 13 and 19 grams sugar per an eight ounce serving.

Risk of Water Intoxication

Consumption of excessive amounts of water can cause water intoxication, a potentially fatal imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication is extremely rare. It might occur, for example, during intense exercise when heavy sweating removes water and electrolytes from the body, but only large quantities of water are consumed to replace what has been lost. The resulting low concentration of electrolytes adversely affect central nervous system function.

Many sports drinks reduce the risk of water intoxication by replenishing fluids and electrolytes in a ratio similar to that normally found in the human body. However, some sports drinks have low concentrations of electrolytes, so zealous overconsumption of them could also lead to water intoxication. [ cite journal | last = Gardner | first = J.W. | year = 2002 | title = Death by Water Intoxication | journal = Military Med | issue = 5 | pages = 432–434 ] People whose work or exercise put them at high risk of developing heat illness or water intoxication should seek professional advice about proper rehydration.

ee also

*Dehydration
*Electrolyte
*Hyperthermia
*Oral rehydration therapy
*Physical Exercise

References