Isotonic Drink v/s Water- Which is a Better Choice?

Water is a vital component of our body, and it makes up about 60% of our body weight. Our body is wired in a way that every cell, tissue, and organ needs good hydration for optimal functioning. Water being a major component carries out various functions, including regulating internal temperature, cushioning the joints, and proper functionality of sensitive tissues. So hydration before, during, and after workouts is crucial for every athlete and people who work out. Considering this purpose, sports drinks became popular and came into the limelight. But what are sports drinks? What more do they provide than water? How do they benefit workouts and performance? Let’s get a deeper insight!

• Water – Of course, the critical component of hydration – water, is present in sports drinks. When you carry out physical activities, your body heavily loses water and electrolytes in the form of sweat and urination. Therefore, replacing these two crucial components is necessary to avoid dehydration.
• Electrolytes – Sports[1] drinks contain electrolytes that supply the body with proper hydration and encourage rapid fluid consumption. Electrolytes carry out the function of balancing the amount of water in your body and maintaining the pH levels. In addition, they ensure optimal functioning of the brain, heart, muscles, and nerves. Predominantly, the electrolytes in sports drinks are sodium and potassium.
• Carbohydrates – Few sports drinks contain carbohydrates ranging from 6-8g per 100 ml. These are provided for enhanced energy, maintaining glycogen content, and improving the performance on the ground.
• Vitamins – Some sports drinks also offer nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6 and B12, and riboflavin. These are added to boost performance, improve metabolism, and supply energy.

The numerous benefits offered by sports drinks can take your workouts to the next level. Here are a few considerable benefits of sports energy drinks:

• Supports athletes and gym-goers to perform better and train effectively by supplying energy to the body.
• Replenishes glycogen stores and replaces the body fluids and electrolytes lost during exercise.
• Prevents cramps and dizziness by ensuring sufficient hydration to the body.
• Offers extra resistance in carrying out intense workouts, resulting in delayed fatigue.
• Sports drinks that contain carbohydrates are an excellent source of quick energy and are easier to digest than protein or energy bars.

Although water is unbeatable at hydrating the body, it’s certainly not enough for you. Let us tell you why. While carrying out high-intensity workouts, our bodies undergo extreme stress. In instances of such rigorous workouts, hydration with water would not be sufficient to replenish your lost electrolytes, as water doesn’t contain enough of it to supply to your body. Sports hydration drinks contain a powerful combination of essential electrolytes, carbohydrates, and vitamins along with water[2] . The electrolytes assist in rehydrating the body by maintaining the fluid levels and compensating for the water lost in sweat. These together work in coordination to offer enhanced recovery to your body from strenuous exercises.

Additionally, our brains and muscles depend on glucose to function optimally. Sports drinks help in avoiding dehydration that, in turn, results in improved physical performance. The better our body absorbs the lost electrolytes from sports drinks, the better it can delay fatigue and utilize most of our body during workouts.

We all know that excess calorie are the culprit for weight gain. Sport drinks brands that add high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates have more calories as compared to normal sports drinks[3] . Besides, sugar leads to bloating and a sudden insulin spike. While choosing a sports drink, it is preferred that you choose a sports drink that is a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Otherwise, the other ingredients like electrolytes, vitamins, and water are all super-healthy for your body.

Furthermore, sports drinks are a great fit for individuals who undergo high-intensity workouts, and for athletes like marathon runners, cyclists, etc. People carrying out light workouts can stick to water since water will suffice the hydration needs for a light workout.