2012.03.30
There's nothing wrong about being loco for coco, but unlike the ones
that fall from the tree, the ready-to-drink beverages being sold as
sports drink alternative may not be all it’s cracked up to be.
An analysis conducted by the folks over at ConsumerLab.com found that some of the claims on the labels didn't add up. Two brands claimed to provide 40 to 60 mg of sodium, but actually had only 11 to 24. Compare that to 110 mg in original Gatorade. In most cases, the levels of the electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and magnesium) didn’t even match up to the meager claims on the label.
The worse part is that these drinks are meant to be substitutes for sports drinks. Since these nutrients are key to maintaining the proper balance of fluids in your body, it's important to replenish them especially after sweating it out during your workout.
Sodium and glucose content influence post-workout hydration more than potassium content, so your best bet is to just stick to a sports drink with 100-200 mg of sodium and about 14 grams of carbs per 8-ounce serving. You can also test out this beverage recipe:
An analysis conducted by the folks over at ConsumerLab.com found that some of the claims on the labels didn't add up. Two brands claimed to provide 40 to 60 mg of sodium, but actually had only 11 to 24. Compare that to 110 mg in original Gatorade. In most cases, the levels of the electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and magnesium) didn’t even match up to the meager claims on the label.
The worse part is that these drinks are meant to be substitutes for sports drinks. Since these nutrients are key to maintaining the proper balance of fluids in your body, it's important to replenish them especially after sweating it out during your workout.
Sodium and glucose content influence post-workout hydration more than potassium content, so your best bet is to just stick to a sports drink with 100-200 mg of sodium and about 14 grams of carbs per 8-ounce serving. You can also test out this beverage recipe:
mix 4 cups of water, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ¼ cup of orange juice, and 4 tablespoons of sugar. Drink 4 to 8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout.
