Hydrating Right - Water vs. Sports Drinks

We all know that after a great exercise session our bodies need to replace the fluids lost, but do sport drinks work better than good old fashioned water for getting us rehydrated? Here are the pros and cons to help you determine the best choice for your regime.

It seems that experts all agree that both water and sports drinks will do an adequate job of rehydrating your body after a workout. The difference between each beverage really comes down to price, preference and caloric intake. Sports drinks are designed to promote healthy hydration in athletes, containing carbohydrates, electrolytes, and calories that are not found in water. Although the taste may be refreshing after a workout, you need to remember that unless you’re training for a marathon, regular intake of these high-calorie drinks can cause you to gain back the weight that you’re working so hard to lose. Also, many of these drinks contain high levels of sodium, which can lead to water retention – hardly the effect you’re looking for.

There are, however, a few healthy ways to promote hydration before you even begin your workout. Always remember to “pre-hydrate” before a workout, replace fluids while exercising and monitor your weight before and after each workout. One pound of water weight lost through sweat is the equivalent of about two glasses of water, which means that you should be drinking at least that much to replace lost fluids.

So, which is better – water or sports drinks? Either one will work just fine for replacing what you’ve just lost on the treadmill, but unless you’re on a grueling training regimen, water is probably the healthiest choice for you. In the end, it’s up to you – just be sure to hydrate!