Sports drink
Encyclopedia
A sports drink beverage is designed to help athletes rehydrate when fluids are depleted after training or competition. Electrolyte replacement promotes proper rehydration, which is important in delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise. As the primary fuel utilized by exercising muscle, carbohydrates are important in maintaining exercise and sport performance.
Most sports drinks are moderately isotonic, having between 4 and 5 heaped teaspoons of sugar per five ounce (13 and 19 grams per 250ml) serving. They never have a pH comparable to carbonated soft drinks.
, a potentially fatal imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication is extremely rare. It might occur, for example, during intense exercise when heavy sweating removes water and electrolytes from the body, but only large quantities of water are consumed to replace what has been lost. The resulting low concentration of electrolytes adversely affects central nervous system
function.
Many sports drinks reduce the risk of water intoxication by replenishing fluids and electrolytes in a ratio similar to that normally found in the human body. However, some sports drinks have low concentrations of electrolytes, so overconsumption of them could still lead to water intoxication. People whose work or exercise puts them at high risk of developing heat illness
or water intoxication should seek professional advice about proper rehydration of the body.
Categories of sport drinks
Sports drinks can be split into three major types:- Isotonic sports drinks contain similar concentrations of salt and sugar as in the human body.
- Hypertonic sports drinks contain a higher concentration of salt and sugar than the human body.
- Hypotonic sports drinks contain a lower concentration of salt and sugar than the human body.
Most sports drinks are moderately isotonic, having between 4 and 5 heaped teaspoons of sugar per five ounce (13 and 19 grams per 250ml) serving. They never have a pH comparable to carbonated soft drinks.
Reducing Risk of Water Intoxication
Consumption of excessive amounts of water can cause water intoxicationWater intoxication
Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water....
, a potentially fatal imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication is extremely rare. It might occur, for example, during intense exercise when heavy sweating removes water and electrolytes from the body, but only large quantities of water are consumed to replace what has been lost. The resulting low concentration of electrolytes adversely affects central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
function.
Many sports drinks reduce the risk of water intoxication by replenishing fluids and electrolytes in a ratio similar to that normally found in the human body. However, some sports drinks have low concentrations of electrolytes, so overconsumption of them could still lead to water intoxication. People whose work or exercise puts them at high risk of developing heat illness
Heat illness
Heat illness or heat-related illness is a spectrum of disorders due to environmental heat exposure. It includes minor conditions such as heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion as well as the more severe condition known as heat stroke....
or water intoxication should seek professional advice about proper rehydration of the body.
Examples of sports drinks
Examples of sports drinks include:- 100plus100plus100plus is a brand of isotonic sports drink sold in Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and the Philippines manufactured by Fraser & Neave Limited. In 2011, a non-carbonated version called 100plus edge was introduced in addition to the four existing variations; Original, Tangy Tangerine, Lemon Lime...
- 10-K Thirst Quencher10-K Thirst Quencher10-K Thirst Quencher aka Raceland Gatorade, was a sports drink that competed with Gatorade, Powerade, and other sports drink brands.It was bottled in the US by , but was a brand owned by Suntory, a Japanese conglomerate...
- AcceleradeAcceleradeAccelerade is a non-carbonated sports drink made by Pacific Health Laboratories. It is one of few sports drinks which utilizes protein in order to speed up recovery and improve hydration rates. A 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to proteins is contained in the drink....
- All SportAll SportAll Sport is a brand of sports drink similar to Gatorade and Powerade. It was created by PepsiCo, as their response to The Coca-Cola Company's Powerade and Stokely-Van Camp's Gatorade, now owned by PepsiCo...
- AquariusAquarius (sports drink)Aquarius is a mineral sports drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company. It originated in, and was first introduced in 1983 in Japan as a grapefruit-flavored sports drink, as a response to a competitor's brand of sports drink called Pocari Sweat. It was introduced to Spain and Portugal in 1991,...
- Coconut WaterCoconut waterCoconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts . As the fruit matures, the coconut water is gradually replaced by the coconut meat and air. A very young coconut has very little meat; the meat that it has is very tender, almost a gel...
- GatoradeGatoradeGatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
- IsostarIsostarIsostar is a sports drink sold in Europe. It is similar to Gatorade and Powerade in that it hydrates and provides energy through glucose. Isostar was first created in Switzerland in 1977.- Products :...
- Lucozade SportLucozadeLucozade is an umbrella name for a 6 series of energy and sports drinks, produced by GlaxoSmithKline in Gloucestershire. The former company became part of Beecham and, after the mergers of SmithKline and Beecham in 2000, GlaxoSmithKline....
- Pocari SweatPocari Sweatis a popular Japanese soft drink and sports drink, manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. It was launched in 1980 and is now also available in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East....
- PoweradePoweradePowerade is a sports drink manufactured and marketed by The Coca-Cola Company. First introduced in 1988, its primary competitor is PepsiCo's Gatorade...
- StaminadeStaminadeStaminade brand has been retailed in Australia for over 30 years – the first sports drink that was commercially manufactured and marketed in Australia.Staminade is made in Australia by an Australian family–owned company....
See also
- DehydrationDehydrationIn physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
- ElectrolyteElectrolyteIn chemistry, an electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that make the substance electrically conductive. The most typical electrolyte is an ionic solution, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible....
- Energy drinkEnergy drinkEnergy drinks are beverages whose producers advertise that they "boost energy." These advertisements usually do not emphasize energy derived from the sugar and caffeine they contain but rather increased energy release due to a variety of stimulants and vitamins....
- Energy gelEnergy gelEnergy gels are carbohydrate gels that provide energy for exercise and promote recovery, commonly used in endurance events such as running, cycling, and triathlons. Energy gels are also referred to as endurance gels, sports gels, nutritional gels, and carbohydrate gels. They come in small,...
- Gainer (supplement)Gainer (supplement)A gainer is a bodybuilding supplement usually composed of both high and low glycemic carbohydrates and protein and often other nutrients such as certain vitamins and minerals....
- HyperthermiaHyperthermiaHyperthermia is an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation. Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate...
- Oral rehydration therapyOral rehydration therapyOral rehydration therapy is a simple treatment for dehydration associated with diarrhoea, particularly gastroenteritis or gastroenteropathy, such as that caused by cholera or rotavirus. ORT consists of a solution of salts and sugars which is taken by mouth...
- Physical ExercisePhysical exercisePhysical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of...