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SPORTS DRINKS
BY DOUG CAPORRINO Fitness Editor
Reprinted by permission: Doug Caporrino
3 KEYS FOR A HIGH QUALITY SPORTS DRINK
When you work out your body generates heat. This the first key to
understanding the usefulness of sports drinks. In order to function
properly, your body temperature should not get too high. As you sweat
(or glisten, if you like), heat is carried away from the body. Losing
too much body water, however, can result in dehydration. One of the
most important benefits of sports drinks is that they re-hydrate your
body.
In addition to fluid replacement, a good sports drink provides you
with energy through calories in the form of carbohydrates- giving you
a “pick- up” and delaying the onset of fatigue. But a critical point
is that adding too many carbohydrates to sports drink will
significantly slow down the rate at which your body absorbs fluids.
Most brands use somewhere between 4 to 8 percent carbohydrate
solutions, a guideline set by the American college of Sports Medicine.
The other things a sports drink should provide are electrolytes.
Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium and chloride.
They’re important to the body because they assist in fluid and
nutrient absorption. Gatorade has fewer calories per 8 ounce serving
than Powerade and most of its other competitors, and contains twice as
much sodium.
For years many in the exercise science field have asserted that the
benefits of sports drinks only “kick in” after at least 1 hour of
strenuous activity, and that drinking water is just as good for
shorter workouts. For those who don’t like drinking water frequently,
finding tasty sports drinks may be the answer to staying hydrated. The
added carbohydrates and electrolytes, which are not present in water,
can serve as a bonus. |
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TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
A common mistake many people make is that they do to know when to stop
reaping the benefits of that bonus. While sports drinks are most often
associated with playing fields and gym environments, many have become
so enamored with the taste of the beverages that they drink them on a
daily basis, even when not working out. Your waistline may not exactly
like that “benefit” from those hidden extra calories.
So, the next time you reach for your favorite racket fuel, be sure
you’re working out!
Mr. Caporrino has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. He
has served as health and fitness consultant for the “Joan Rivers
Show”, “ America’s Talking Show”, and the “Regis Show”. He is
affiliated with Parker Chiropractic College and the fitness editor of
Chiropractic Wellness & Fitness magazine. Mr Caporrino
helped develop the Parker “get Fit” Program, and he presents on the
Parker platform. His company, RTR (Results Thru Research) recently
introduced a monthly audio series to benefit the Chiropractic
profession.
He can be reached at 866-GET-FIT (866-438-8348).
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