Performance Drink - Renewing Indispensable Electrolytes

September 29, 2008

Performance drink manufacturers claim that using their energy sports drinks during workouts or during athletic events can help people perform better and have better endurance. But, there are also plenty of skeptics who question these claims. The biggest question most people have about these products is, will the electrolyte sports drink deliver any real benefits or is water all I really need during my workout?

Way back in 1965, the first energy sports drink was introduced to the market when a group of doctors from the University of Florida concocted the very first, pioneering sport drink. The purpose of their work was to develop a sports beverage that would help the student athletes at the University fight off tiredness and fatigue so that they could turn in the best possible performance.

They also were working hard to avoid including any ingredients in their performance drink that might be considered to cross the line into performance-enhancing drugs in order to sidestep any problems with the sports leagues or the FDA. The result of this hard work is the well-known sports beverage Gatorade.

For many years, Gatorade was available in just one flavor, but nowadays with the explosion in the energy sports drinks market, there are a number of delicious flavors of Gatorade to choose from. At the same time, the store shelves are now lined with a myriad of choices when it comes to energy sports drink brands.

Still the question lingers and people wonder if there is any real purpose to spending their money on sports beverages. If you ask the professional athletes, or even the serious amateurs, then you will get a resounding yes. During physical activity, especially in hot weather and humid climates, the body loses some essential nutrients and elements.

Even though ordinary water can assist an individual to stave off hard core dehydration while exercising and hard workouts, however it doesn't replenish electrolytes which are also necessary for good health and general well-being as well as for prolonged activity. Electrolytes are made up of 4 essential minerals which are magnesium, sodium, calcium and potassium. When a persons body begins to run low on crucial electrolytes, you will not be able to function at peak levels and a well made sports drink will counterbalance that.

There are many different drink options available and many of them contain a variety of substances in addition to the basic fluid and electrolytes. Adding a small amount of carbohydrates, somewhere in the range of four to six percent, can also help to provide the body with the glucose it needs to continue in the desired activity.

Some formulations also include protein, energy enhancers such as caffeine, guarana and amino acids. You can also purchase a nutrition sports drink that has an assortment of vitamins in addition to other elements. The primary intention behind all of these different ingredients to assist an athlete to remain well-hydrated while they are working out, at the same time also provides the body with other helpful nutrients that assist in performance as well as recovery.

When deciding on which performance drink to consume for your exercise workouts, it is a good idea to consult with either a personal trainer or your doctor to help you know what ingredients will be the best for your body and your workout routines. And, before you run out and buy a case of some sports drink bottles, you will want to make sure you test out a single bottle first so you don't end up with a stock of sports drinks you can't stomach.

Not all drinks are similar. There are hundreds of varieties of waters and colas on the market and if you throw in the sports drinks that are currently the fad beverage you have a confusing mix of beverages that can make anyone's head dizzy. However for the people who are devoted sports enthusiasts who are looking to get the most ideal nutrition possible or to change their physical appearance a sports drink is one of the best ways possible to get the advantage of the caloric consumption contained within beverages. It is a drink that is loaded with nutrients, vitamins as well as proteins. You can get that added punch too. Click here for more information: History Of Bodybuilding and at Body Building Training also Organic Bodybuilding Supplements