The Effect of Sport Drinks on Athletic Performance
Athletes use sports drinks during intense physical activity to help the body work properly. The mixture of water, electrolytes and carbohydrates replaces the fluids, salts and energy lost during intense exercise or competition. This allows the body to rehydrate properly and function better than if the athlete drank only water. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Balance of Electrolytes
-
The human body must balance its amount of sodium and potassium to function properly. During intense physical activity the athlete loses these electrolytes through sweat. Muscle cramping is one result of losing these salts. Companies design sports drinks to replenish these electrolytes, which water cannot do by itself.
Replacement of Carbohydates
-
Carbohydrates are the primary source of fuel for the body, but intense activity depletes carbohydrate stores. Companies design sports drinks with glucose and fructose because the body quickly absorbs and uses these particular carbohydrates. Glucose and fructose also make the drink taste sweeter which facilitates consumption.
-
Rehydration
-
Like drinking water, sports drinks replace the water lost through sweat. However, sports drinks are different because they allow for quicker fluid absorption than that by water alone. According to Gatorade, the levels of carbohydrates and salts in their beverage promote rapid rehydration. Other sports drink providers use similar formulas.
-
