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The Benefits of Electrolytes
in Sports Drinks
The athletes of Louisiana State University were
introduced to “Bengal Punch” back in 1958. Now sports
drinks have been available to athletes for the past
50 years. “Gatorade: is the most recognizable sports
drink on the marker. This was introduced to the
athletes at the University of Florida, and has
revolutionized athletes to energize and re-hydrate
them during and after sporting events.
Since this time, there have been similar sports drinks
developed and introduced to athletes, as well as
general consumers. Some of these drinks are: PowerAde,
and Glaceau Vitamin Water.
Electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are
the main ingredients that sports drinks contain which
enhance athletic performance. Athletes gain many
benefits from sports drinks while they are physically
active. Among the most important of these aspects are:
Replenishment of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are salts that are naturally part of body
fluids. When an athlete or anyone else who engages in
physical activity sweats, electrolytes are lost
through the sweat. If electrolytes are lost too
quickly, the body does not have the ability to restore
them as rapidly as they were lost. Sports drinks
contain electrolytes such as chloride, sodium, and
potassium to help replenish what was lost through
sweat. By putting electrolytes back into the body, it
helps keep dehydration from occurring. If dehydration
is not attended to, it can become a very serious
problem for a person. Electrolytes help to increase
the absorption of fluids into the bloodstream.
A person can become dehydrated, in as little as 30
minutes, if they are exerting energy without putting
back the electrolytes. Therefore, it is suggested that
athletes begin drinking a sports drink even before
they start their activity.
Replenishment of Energy
Fatigue can occur quickly, for anyone who has
exercised, or who partakes in physical activity. One
of the reasons for this is that exercise increases
metabolism, and when a person’s metabolism is working
overtime, it breaks down carbohydrates quickly.
Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy
for the body.
By replacing lost carbohydrates, the body can continue
to work efficiently and an athlete has more energy to
complete their activity.
Replacement of Lost Vitamins and Minerals
The human body also draws energy from various vitamins
and minerals only found in certain foods, beverages or
supplements. Sports drinks contain these vitamins and
minerals to help keep the body working efficiently
during activity.
Quenching of Thirst
A person can become thirsty as the body loses fluids.
The ingredients found in sports drinks can quench
thirst as effectively as water and better than soft
drinks leaving the person feeling more refreshed and
energized.
The Right Balance of Ingredients
In the past, many athletes created their own
energy/sports drinks. Upset stomach or poor absorption
rate of the drink could occur from the wrong balance
of ingredients. Some athletes still create their own
drinks; however a sports drink that has a proper
balance of ingredients will be much more effective
than any homemade version. Most commercial sports
drinks have the correct balance of electrolytes,
carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and liquids.
Without the right mix of ingredients in the proper
amounts, sports drinks could hinder an athlete,
instead of enhance performance.
A Variety of Color and Flavor Choices
If you think that the color of a sports drink does not
make a difference, spend a few minutes at the snack
bar at a Little League field. Children, and many
adults, find the color choice very important. Color
can invoke a mood such as a cool blue color giving the
feel of thirst quenching mountain water or a hot red
color invoking the image of energy. It may be
psychological, but it is still important.
Those who drink sports drinks also have taste
preferences, and with the variety of sports drinks
offered today, there is a choice for every taste.
They Don’t “Run Through” a Body as Quickly as Water
Water may quench thirst, but it doesn’t replenish any
of the lost electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or
minerals as sports drinks can. Although all of these
things are lost during sweating, they can also be lost
through urination. Water causes more frequent
urination than sports drinks do. Therefore, sports
drinks not only replenish these important
electrolytes, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals,
they also can help the body hold on to the ones they
already have for a longer period of time.
The primary ingredient in any sports drink is water.
Water is important for re-hydration. With the
additional ingredients in sports drinks, this makes
sports drinks a better choice than water alone. This
goes not only for athletes, but others who exert a lot
of energy and need to replenish the essential
nutrients that have been quickly depleted in their
bodies.
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