Written by Adrienne Donofrio NASM, CPT
Americans spent more than a billion dollars each year on sports drinks. Promoted by top athletes and marketed as a healthier drink choice, student athletes, parents and coaches have been convinced that sports drinks are healthier than soft drinks and needed to replace electrolytes and prevent dehydration. Consuming sufficient nutrition from food and proper hydration can help maintain blood glucose levels. Athletes should be well prepare and hydrated with water before, during and after exercise
Top Tips to Maintaining Electrolyte Balance and Hydration
- Drink plenty of water the day before a sporting event, exercise, or scheduled practice.
- Avoid Caffeine, caffeine is a natural diuretic which can lead to dehydration.
- Avoid a high sugar diet. Sugar reduces the rate of water absorption on a cellular level making it quite difficult for the body to maintain hydration.
- Read Labels- “All Natural” does not always mean healthy. Watch for high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, citric acid.
Check servings per container. The listed serving sizes can be deceiving. Many sports drinks give the impression that they are low in calories, read further you will most likely discover that there are 2 servings per bottle so double your calories and sugar.
No sugar could mean aspartame or artificial sweeteners are ingredients
FitSolutions Recommendation
R.W. Knudsen Organic Recharge -Recharge does not contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or colors
www.rwknudsenfamily.com – Filtered Water, White Grape and Apple Juice Concentrates, Herbal Tea (Water, Hibiscus Tea), Natural Flavors, Natural Orange Extract, Sea Salt.
Make your own Electrolyte Replacement
1 cup of Spring Water
1 Tsp Honey
Juice of one lemon
1-2m Pinches of Sea Salt
Work Hard, Stay Cool and Enjoy your Activities Safely