When you sweat, you body loses fluids and minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium and chloride, termed as electrolytes. If you don't replenish these electrolytes and water, your body will experience a limit for prolonged exercise and you may also suffer heat exhaustion.
Sports drinks contain electrolytes and carbohydrates and are meant to help your body replenish fluids and minerals so you can have optimal energy while exercising. Sports drinks are better for hydration than plain water for athletes, since drinking too much water can cause an improper imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
Isotonic Sports Drink
Isotonic sports drinks contain fluid, up to 8 percent carbs and electrolytes. Since glucose in your body's ideal source of energy when exercising, you should choose isotonic drinks that use glucose as the main source for the sports drink carbohydrates. These drinks have a similar concentration of sugar and salt as your body.
Hypotonic Sports Drink
Hypotonic sports drinks have a much lower level of carbohydrates than isotonic sports drinks and are suitable for individuals who need hydration with electrolytes, without a boost of carbs, such as gymnasts and yogis. Hypotonic sports drinks have a higher concentration of sugar and salt than your body.
Hypertonic Sports Drink
Hypertonic sports drinks have a high concentration of carbohydrates as well as fluid and electrolytes. They are mainly used after exercise as a carb supplement to replenish muscle glycogen stores and can be combined with isotonic sports drinks when used during long exercising periods to meet energy demands.
Citric Acid
The commonly high citric acid content in sports drinks can have an erosive effect on your teeth. Avoid keeping the liquid in your mouth and drink quickly. You can also drink them with a straw to avoid contact with teeth. If the sports drink is chilled, it will have a less erosive quality.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is considered a natural sports drink, as it has carbs, more electrolytes than many sports drinks and fluids that replenish your body during and after exercise. It also contains no preservatives when taken directly from the coconut. Coconut water is also high in potassium, a mineral lost through sweating. In countries and situations where medical saline is unavailable, coconut water has been use intravenously for hydration.
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