sports drinks...?

Question

Sports drinks generally contain water plus sugars and other minerals, and they are marketed as the most effective way to rehydrate after exercise. What is the basis of this claim? Why can it be detrimental to consume large amounts of these sports drinks if you are not actually exercising?

Answer 1

When you exercise, you sweat. Sweat is a little salty, so you've lost some water, some salt, and presumably lots of calories from that work you're doing. That's what you'll find in a sports drink: mostly water, some salts, and plenty of calories.

If you're just sitting around, you're probably using about half as many calories, and though you lose a little water from breathing and the like, you probably aren't losing any salt. Thus you'll be getting lots of stuff in the sports drink that you won't need at all... you'd be much better off with just a glass of water!

Answer 2

Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, contain large levels of sodium and potassium salts that replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels. Glucose (C6H12O6), a carbohydrate, can also be found in these sports drinks, which provides energy for the body.

Consuming and abusing sports drinks can be detrimental since they do contain large amounts of sugars. Consuming too much sugars with very little exercise can lead to high blood pressure and other medical conditions.

Sports drinks were just targeted to rehydrate athletes after they used most of their energy. Sure, people drink it here and there, but too much of it can be dangerous.

Answer 3

If a person does not exercise and yet consumes large amounts of traditional sports drinks, that person will consume excessive amounts of sugar and calories, and will likely gain weight.