Are sports drinks better than water for athletes?
After finishing a long run in the heat of a July afternoon, you’re thirsty, your muscles are weak, you feel generally fatigued, and you may have a minor headache. Your body is telling you that it needs to be rehydrated, so you grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator. It’s cold and refreshing, but how well is that H2O replenishing the nutrients you lost during your workout? According to W. Larry Kenney, Penn State professor of physiology and kinesiology, a bottle of a sports drink like Gatorade may be a better choice. “Sports drinks have extra ingredients that are not found in water,” Kenney explains. “Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are the most important additives, and carbohydrates are a close second.” Electrolytes are physiologically important substances that regulate the body’s hydration, and nerve and muscle function, he adds. During exercise, your body sweats to limit the rise in body temperature. This process keeps your body cool, but results in loss of fluid. “Sp
