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What beverages are good choices for hydration purposes?

Most beverages will help hydrate the body and contribute to good health and wellness.   The beverage industry offers many different choices for consumers depending on their own tastes and circumstances.  These include:  bottled water, teas, 100 percent juices, juice drinks, sports drinks, soft drinks and dairy-based beverage options. According to the Institute of Medicine, all of these beverages, including those with caffeine, provide hydration.

What benefits do sports drinks provide?

During exercise, our bodies sweat to produce a cooling effect. Unfortunately, sweating also results in a loss of fluid and electrolytes like sodium and potassium from our bodies, and these losses must be replaced. Research findings have concluded that sports drinks are the best way to replenish fluid and electrolyte losses, as plain water can further dilute sodium levels in the blood. Decreased levels of sodium, also known as hyponatremia, have been associated with decreased performance during exercise.

Do sports drinks contribute to excess sodium consumption?

Sports drinks provide benefits in helping to prehydrate and rehydrate individuals engaged in long-term exercise.  An electrolyte, sodium helps maintain proper fluid balance in the body.  In fact, an 8-ounce serving of a sports drink has similar sodium content to a cup of 2 percent milk.

Do sports drinks contribute to obesity?

As with many beverages, sports drinks do have calories. Depending on the specific drink and the size of the serving, most sports drinks have between 25-160 calories. Lower calorie versions of sports drinks are available for consumers who want nutrients and electrolytes, but lower calorie content as well.

Consumed in moderation, sports drinks can play a role in a healthy diet. In addition, sports drinks are an ideal beverage for prehydrating, maintaining hydration and rehydrating when engaging in physical activity.

Do sports drinks cause cramping?

Sports drinks actually can help prevent cramping during exercise. Research findings and sports professionals recommend drinking sports drinks to avoid exercise-related cramps.