What is better for rehydration and performance – water or a sports drink like Gatorade?
A. Sports drinks are formulated to be even more effective than water for occasions when fluid, carbohydrate and electrolyte replacement is needed, such as during soccer practice, a 3-mile run or a game of basketball. In fact, there are many occasions when a drink like Gatorade is more effective than water, but no occasion when water is more effective than a quality sports drink. Although a cool drink of water feels satisfying, water “turns off” your thirst before complete rehydration occurs. Water also turns on the kidneys prematurely so you lose fluid in the form of urine much more quickly than when drinking a properly formulated sports drink. This is because the small amount of sodium in a sports drink like Gatorade — no more than what is in an equal size glass of milk — allows your body to hold onto the fluid you consume rather than losing it through urine. A properly formulated sports drink should contain an optimum amount of carbohydrates (14 g. carbohydrate/8 oz.), electrolytes
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