Water vs. Electrolyte Drinks
August 27th, 2010 | by Michelle | Published in Athletics, Carbohydrates, Recipes
Sports drinks are a contentious issue for me. Despite their assumed athletic relevance, they generally remind me more of consumerism and excess than they do of actual athletics. I think of a specific Gatorade ad starring Kevin Garnett where he appears to sweat the color of his Gatorade. I think about sports drinks’ bright colors and completely radical names that I always deliver in a certain way when I read them aloud. Finally I think about sugar. A 32-ounce bottle (pay attention to serving size when you read the label; the 32-ounce bottle in your hand is likely broken down into four servings) of a typical sports drink contains over 50 grams (13 teaspoons) of sugar and 200 calories. Is this something I really need after a four-mile run on the trail by my house, even if it is a grueling uphill climb, switchback after switchback?
My contention with sports drinks isn’t that they don’t have a purpose, it’s that they’re generally overconsumed and overhyped. I can’t help but think that sales figures are sports drink manufacturers’ biggest concern, but Kevin Garnett’s bellow seems to scream otherwise. What’s the reasoning behind the typical sugar, water, and electrolyte composition of these drinks? When, if at all, does it become important to rehydrate with something other than water? What, beyond the commercial viability of selling sugar water, are the real benefits to professional athletes and amateurs alike?
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Have you seen the commercials? My favorite depicts a couple sitting in the park, blanket spread beneath them; the woman offers her man a bite of a popsicle, two in fact, that’s how much she loves him. He balks and says, “…it’s got high-fructose corn syrup in it…[and] you know what they say about [that]?” “What?” she says. He doesn’t remember and can’t answer, and she laughs at how silly he is. Then she lays out the facts: “…it’s made from corn, has the same calories as sugar…and it’s fine in moderation”.8 
Many people struggle with sugar cravings that are out of control. Sugar is addicting. Giving into these cravings and overeating high sugar foods causes great distress to our bodies and pollutes our minds. The result is weight gain, loss of energy, depression, low self-esteem, susceptibility to numerous chronic diseases, and ultimately cravings for even more and more sugar. It is a vicious cycle. The more you eat, the more you want. How do you get off the sugar rollercoaster and end cravings for good? By eating the proper foods in the proper balance. It is really that simple. Let’s take a look at how the body responds to sugar and other foods. It will change your life and how you feel forever!