Sports And Rehydration Drinks

Sports drinks not only help athletes hydrate after exercise but also provide electrolytes, sugar and other nutrients that can be depleted during psychical exertion. Electrolytes contain many of the essential minerals that are lost through sweat during exercise including Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Phosphate and Sulphate. These salts and minerals are necessary for correct functioning of nervous and muscle tissue, delivering oxygen to maintain muscle function, and the flow of fluid in and out of cells.

When sports drinks are consumed up to an hour before exercise they provide the body with carbohydrates which increase the body’s store of glucose energy in the muscles and Liver, and sodium which reduces urine water loss before exercising. During exercise sports drinks are ideal for replacing lost fluids and increasing energy. After exercise sports drinks can increase the rate of rehydration and replenish essential minerals lost through sweating.