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WHAT’S IN A POWER DRINK
WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR YOUR NEEDS
ENERGY DRINKS VS SPORTS DRINKS
Many people associate energy drinks with not only increased alertness but also sustaining energy through exercise. What they fail to realize is the significant difference between energy and sports drinks. Whether you seek a boost due to fatigue from a late night, you’re anticipating a challenging day ahead, or grabbing a power drink off the shelf after a workout; it’s worth understanding the difference in ingredients between energy drinks and sports drinks and choosing which one is most suited for the result you seek.
ENERGY DRINKS
The name itself can be somewhat misleading, hinting towards the energy required for all physical activities. But in fact, energy drinks should, in most cases, be avoided for physical exercise, which might come as a surprise to some. The main ingredient of most energy drinks is caffeine, which is a stimulant known to improve energy and concentration in the short term. While it may be necessary to consume an energy drink to help adults stay mentally alert, athletes should be mindful when grabbing any beverage off the shelf in the Energy/Sports drink section. If the beverage contains caffeine, it may lead to further dehydration after a sweaty workout.
It’s essential to pay attention to caffeine in energy drinks, as they can vary widely. Consuming too much caffeine may pose a danger to your health. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens steer clear of most energy drinks. While some energy drinks contain as much as 500 milligrams of caffeine per can, the FDA recommends limiting caffeine to a maximum of 400 milligrams a day in healthy adults (equaling about four or five cups of coffee). Reading a label first is always a good idea.
SPORTS DRINKS
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge. They help to balance water in your body and help regulate nerve and muscle function. See the opposite infographic for a useful illustration.
When you sweat due to a physical workout or strenuous activity, your body loses electrolytes, like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. These are essential minerals that aid in fluid balance and help keep you well hydrated, and they can only be replenished through diet and fluids. For this reason, athletes are recommended to consume foods rich in potassium and magnesium like bananas or choose natural fluids like coconut water after a workout that is abundant in the same minerals.
Sports drinks are (in most cases) specifically designed to hydrate your body during and after athletic activity by restoring lost electrolytes, replacing carbohydrates, and stimulating thirst. This is particularly important when large amounts of fluid are lost through sweat and water may not be enough to rehydrate you efficiently. These beverages act like fuel for athletes, keeping them hydrated, especially in sweltering temperatures, as we find in the Caribbean. It’s a useful fuel, minus the caffeine content.
THE BEST CHOICE FOR ATHLETES
When you are taking part in endurance activities or sports activities that lead to a large amount of fluid loss, it’s recommended to consume lab-tested sports drinks to avoid heat exhaustion and effectively restore electrolytes and hydration levels. It’s worth choosing reputable brands and paying attention to the ingredients (including sugar content) listed on the back label.
Gatorade is an excellent example of a brand that puts real research into their products. The Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) was founded in 1985 and is committed to helping athletes optimize their health and performance through research and education in hydration and nutrition science. GSSI scientists study the effects of nutrition on the human body before, during, and after exercise. Their leading research aims to provide athletes with advice and products that help their performance and achieve their goals.
Since the purpose of a sports drink is to be used at the point of sweat, it’s probably not going to assist with staying alert during a late night at the office. Therefore, understanding the difference between energy drinks and sports drinks is critical in choosing the right one for your needs. However, water is usually the best choice to keep your body sufficiently hydrated and operate optimally.