Knowing that you need to be drinking more water and being proactive enough to do it is taking a huge step for better overall health. But is all drinking water equal? Looking at the water isle in the grocery store tells us that it obviously is not—it has become a marketing and consumerism game driven by money, not health. Let’s break down what’s what in the water world. First read here at Men's Health Magazine about bottled water. Then, continue after the jump...
Sports drinks—in general are chock full of sugar and other not-so-body-friendly additives (read: high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, processed colors). The problem we find in these is the sugar content (which can skyrocket upwards of 20grams per bottle) in combination with high carbohydrate levels. Serious endurance athletes (or intense working out for 60 minutes or longer) burning all of their energy stores while exercising need these type of carbohydrate replenishing drinks—the average person does not (most people do not deplete all of their carb/glycogen levels during a workout). “Auburn University nutrition professor Bob Keith explains that muscles normally store 60 to 90 minutes' worth of the complex carbohydrate. In addition, a balanced diet provides plenty of the electrolyte sodium, which helps water pass quickly from the small intestine to the rest of the body. Bill Fink, a physiologist at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., concludes that "it's difficult if not impossible to demonstrate that adding these ingredients does anything worthwhile for the recreational athlete." And although Gatorade spokesman Patti Jo Sinopoli acknowledges that carbs won't do much for such a person, she contends that "sodium keeps the thirst mechanism active, and water shuts it off." Translation: Sodium-laden drinks will make you feel like drinking more.” (from CNNmoney.com). Read more in-depth at Men's Health Magazine here.
What should a drink do for an athlete? For sweat sessions over 30 minutes a sports drink should replenish your electrolyte levels and some other minerals. Under than duration water is your go-to! Water is your best option for low impact activities like short runs, walking, quick cardio, yard work, swimming, etc. Yes good old fashioned water. Add some lemon or a splash of another pure fruit juice to your water if you want a different taste or make it cold water which helps cool your body during or after a workout.
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