Gatorade and other sports drinks

[JoeJustice]

What is your opinion of Gatorade and other sports drinks? Do they have a place in a regular workout? Only certain workouts like long runs? Or are they just sugar waters with no real benefit?

-Joe

[gs300tx]

I only drink water for my workouts, the only time I use gatorade is to cure a hangover.

[Nathan]

Hey Joe,

I usually only drink Vitamin Water ( I believe it is alright health wise for you). :) But when I am working out I drink water. Although I have drank Gatorade Tiger on some golf trips before. :wink: All the best Joe.

---Nathan

[mike]

The real benefit of sports drinks is the quick absorption of water, in my opinion. One of the many ways water actually gets into the body is through a glucose/sodium channels. Essentially glucose binds to a receptor and then sodium is pulled into a cell, bringing water molecules with it due to it's charge. So, for activites longer than maybe 45 minutes or anytime dehydration is a risk they can be helpful, as far as fueling your activities they are essentially sugar water and eating things a good while before exercise is probably a better bet.

[Craiger]

So, for activites longer than maybe 45 minutes or anytime dehydration is a risk they can be helpful, as far as fueling your activities they are essentially sugar water and eating things a good while before exercise is probably a better bet.


I agree with that.

[gruntbrain]

Use inexpensive powders with water to customize your own magic drink

I think they work but I'm also aware of PLACEBO POWER

[mts]

I tend to buy "Propel" in the powder format and I mix it at half strenght (otherwise it's too sweet for me). I've found that I drink more water when I add some Propel to it, otherwise I find it very difficult to drink water (I always have). I think I simply just don't like plain water.

Grunt - what powders are you referring to? I like the idea as it gives me the ability to mix them to my liking.

[tom]

Joe, as well as you are working out, and even if you double the intensity, there is no reason to buy fancy waters. If you are at the point of needing fancy waters, you are doing ultra-marathons or very high level competitive athletic training. And those aren't fitness activities - just the opposite.

If someone is at that level or so sucked into that thought or, as Grunt alludes to, wants that placebo effect, google some homemade formulas and go ahead and drink that gawdawful stuff.

Tom

[budgiefan]

I stay away from these things as I feel they are unnecessary and I'd rather use the calories for something I can sink my teeth into.

I don't know, maybe they'd be beneficial for a world class athelete who needs all the calories he/she can get as quickly as possible in order to maintain top-level performance, but I really don't think they offer many benefits to the average person, squeezing sensible workouts into a not-super-active lifestyle.

[mike]

For those with trouble drinking water paul chek reccomends holding it in the mouth, swishing around and letting your chi infuse into it before consuming. it hits the stomach much softer and tends to lead to more contemplative moments with your water.

[gruntbrain]

MTS
Google beyondacentury to find inexpensive powders including healthful(?) ones that eliminate the "yuck factor"

Caffeine pills or powders taken with water provides surefire energy; of course some will argue caffeine is evil but not me