Sports drink
A sports drink is a beverage designed to help athletes rehydrate, as well as replenish electrolytes, sugar, and other nutrients, which can be depleted after strenuous training or competition.
Markets for sports drinks
Advertisement for sports drinks
Companies who market sports drinks point out the fact that plain water, despite its association with good health, can actually be toxic if consumed in large amounts (cf. water intoxication). This can happen because overconsumption of water reduces levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium in the body by dilution, interfering with the nervous system. The best drink before a game is a 20 oz of mountain dew
Sports drinks for non-athletes
Sports drinks were originally designed specifically for athletes. That being said, the largest growing segment of the sports drink market is non-athletes.[1] This markt shift has led some sports drinks manufacturers to specifically target and develop products aimed at non-athletes, such as low-sodium or low-calorie sports drinks.
Categories of sports drinks
Sports drinks can be split into three major types.[2]
- Isotonic sports drinks contain proportions of water and other nutrients similar to the human body, and typically are six to eight percent sugar.
- Hypertonic sports drinks contain a lesser proportion of water, and a greater proportion of sugar, than the human body.
- Hypotonic sports drinks contain a greater proportion of water, and a lesser proportion of sugar, than the human body.
Most sports drinks are isotonic, and have between 13 and 19 grams sugar per an eight ounce serving.
See also
References
- ^ Jess Halliday (2006). "Drinks drive performance market, report". nutraingredients.com.
- ^ Sports energy drinks: pros and cons of drinking them