What is the Difference Between Sport and Energy Drinks?
People are often confused about the difference between energy drinks, sports drinks, electrolyte supplements, and plain water. While sports drinks are generally suitable for kids and adults engaging in high-intensity exercises, energy drinks shouldn’t be given to children at all. Electrolyte supplements are better than sports and energy drinks because they replenish lost electrolytes without packing unnecessary sweeteners and flavors. And plain water is great for thirst and to remain hydrated, but it can’t reverse or prevent dehydration during intense workouts because it doesn’t contain electrolytes. Below, we provide a detailed overview of energy drinks, sports drinks, electrolyte drinks, and plain water for dehydration and sports performance.
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks contain high volumes of stimulants, such as caffeine, sugar, vitamins, and carnitine. They’re often marketed as energy boosters to increase physical activity output and mental alertness. However, the lack of regulation in the industry means they can promote however they want. Research shows there’s a complete lack of evidence to suggest they increase energy levels. Furthermore, it often contains vitamins and stimulants in far greater quantities than the daily recommended limit, making them dangerous for some people. Energy drinks don’t contain the necessary electrolytes, so they’re not suitable for hydration or during intense workouts and athletic activities.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are flavored and brightly-colored beverages containing electrolytes, sugars, sweeteners, and artificial flavors. The presence of electrolytes allows them to be marketed as hydration drinks — they say they’re great for athletic performance. However, their value as electrolyte supplements is limited because they also contain far more sugars and artificial flavors. As such, they might replace some of the lost electrolytes, but they’re not suitable for long-term sustained hydration in extremely hot weather, during physical exertion, or while hiking. Sports drinks also lack regulation, so they can be marketed as electrolyte replacements, but they’re not actually electrolyte supplements, and you can’t use them to combat dehydration.
What is difference between plain water and electrolyte supplements
Plain Water
Plain water is what the name suggests — plain water with no added ingredients, sugars, or electrolytes. You must drink plenty of water to remain hydrated and keep up your energy. But water can’t do anything if you’re dehydrated or if you’re engaging in high-intensity workouts that make you lose electrolytes. That’s because water doesn’t contain electrolytes, i.e., the natural minerals that your body needs to maintain optimal functionality. If your body goes into electrolyte imbalance, which happens when you lose more electrolytes than you consume, your body won’t absorb the water anymore. Your body can only retain water if you have sufficient electrolytes. That’s why people experiencing the symptoms of dehydration and diarrhea vomit or urinate plain water, unable to retain it.
Electrolyte Drinks
Electrolyte drinks, true electrolyte drinks, are the ideal means of replacing losing electrolytes, restoring your body’s functionality, and ensuring optimal performance during sports. Electrolyte supplements contain all the essential electrolyte minerals in the right quantity but no additional flavors, sweeteners, and other superfluous contents that make it taste better at the expense of utility. Electrolyte powders are generally mixed with water to produce a refreshing drink that restores your body’s natural electrolyte balance, which, in turn, allows you to absorb liquids and fluids. Electrolyte supplements reverse the signs of dehydration, improve sports performance, and allow you to hike in hot weather without dehydration. However, you must be extremely careful while choosing electrolyte supplements because most sports drinks also refer to themselves as electrolyte drinks.
HYDRATION STARTS WITH RECOVERORS!
How to get electrolytes?
The best way to get electrolytes is to consume electrolyte supplements that contain the following minerals — sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, bicarbonate. Furthermore, the electrolyte supplement shouldn’t have excess calories, sweeteners, or artificial flavors. Their primary scope should be replacing the lost electrolytes in your body. If you don’t have drinks with the aforementioned composition, you can also get natural electrolytes from watermelons, coconut water, milk, yogurt, avocado, and bananas. These foods and drinks will help you stay hydrated and perform at your optimal capacity during intense workouts and exercises.
What are the best sports drinks for hydration?
You should avoid sports drinks for hydration because, as mentioned previously, they’re essentially sweetened water with unnecessary flavors. RecoverORS is one of the best alternatives to sports drinks for hydration — it contains all the essential electrolytes with less than 1% sweeteners per serving. RecoverORS is the #1 electrolyte supplement brand by pharmacists, so you can trust that it has real value. Each electrolyte packet is uniquely formulated to ensure optimal osmolarity in your body, i.e., it increases your body’s ability to absorb water and fluids, ensuring you remain hydrated.
Which is the best energy drink after the gym or exercise?
RecoverORS is also one of the best electrolyte drinks for those who engage in high-intensity workouts. You can drink a serving of RecoverORS before and after the gym, and take a few intermittent sips during the workout, to keep your energy up and perform at your optimal capacity. RecoverORS electrolyte powder is also suitable for those who intend to go on a drinking binge, during extended flights, and while hiking in hot weather. However, RecoverORS is a true electrolyte supplement, so it should only be used by those engaging in high-intensity workouts — not just someone who lifts a few weights a few days a week.
RecoverORS has been prepared in FDA-approved facilities. It contains the following ingredients — Dextrose, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, and Ascorbic Acid. Adults should ideally consume up to 8 servings of RecoverORS per day, depending on their level of exercise and activities. You can get your RecoverORS electrolyte powder online today.
