Why Sports Drinks Are Good for Athletes

This is a tricky subject. The title of this article implies that athletes should always drink sports drinks rather than water, and that they are in fact healthy. This is not true. Sports drinks can be just as detrimental to a person's nutrition and energy level as a soda. However, sports drinks have their benefits for athletes, if consumed appropriately. However, an individual who is not an athlete or exercising should never drink these sugary beverages.

First off, sports drinks are filled with sugar and extra calories. This is not something you want to add into a daily diet in large quantities. The purpose of a sports drink is to aide in recovery, not make an individual more likely to preform better. Any company that markets otherwise is wrong, and they probably know that. Sugar will give you a short burst of energy by spiking insulin levels in the blood. After this has worn off, the individual will be tired and drained, and unable to compete to their potential. Too many times I have seen an athlete drinking a sports drink prior to competition, unaware of the negative consequences. If consumed before a game or practice, the athlete might as well be drinking soda. The end result will be the same.

So where are the benefits? Drinks such as Powerade and Gatorade can be quite beneficial if used appropriately. Immediately after physical activity has ended, the sports drink should be consumed. The sugar will immediately helped replenish depleted glycogen stores, while the added electrolytes will replace those lost during activity. This will have increased benefits in the recovery and hydration of the athlete that water could not provide. Someone who does not exercise does not need these benefits, and therefore should avoid sports drinks.

While these drinks can be a useful aide, they should not be solely relied on for recovery. A sound meal consisting of complex carbohydrates and lean protein should be consumed as close to physical activity as possible. This will help athletes recover faster and more efficiently. From this point on, the need for sports drinks is over. Only water should be consumed until the post-workout stage is reached again. Drinking a sports drink five hours after you have finished physical activity will not help your body, only hurt it. Simple sugars are no longer needed for recovery, and any spikes in your insulin will only offset the recovery cycle. If an individual wishes to help themselves recover past the phase of sports drinks, then another meal should be eaten about two hours later to help ensure the muscles are able to recover properly.

While there would be negative affects of drinking a sports beverage on a non-athlete, those who engage in physical activity stand to recover more properly. This will only happen if the athlete is informed enough to know only to consume the beverage right after physical activity. These drinks, combined with the right diet, can lead to fuller and faster recovery.