Energy and sports drinks are another bone of contention across the general public and also those in the fitness and weight loss industry with camps seeming equally divided on the benefits they can provide. In my eyes, they are a product intended for one use that unfortunately has become skewed and now it seems that everyone is jumping on the energy drinks bandwagon.
You must remember that originally, sports drinks and powders were designed for elite athletes at the top of their field vigorously performing their trade. The actual nature of these activities absolutely sapped the strength, fatigued the bodies and dehydrated these athletes in a way that mere water just could not quickly enough replenish.
So once again, the sporting world turned to science and developed these drinks that would not only allow elite athletes to perform better during their sport but also increase their endurance and recover more quickly after the event.
You may have heard the quote from a renowned NFL coach who when asked what was the difference in the two teams who had just played a classic match with one side just coming out on top in the dying minutes of the game? His response at a time when energy drinks were just coming out has immortalised a particular energy drink company forever – “The difference was – we had Gatorade.” Simple enough but I don’t think anyone would have realised the magnitude of the comment at that time!
Now energy and sports drinks are absolutely vital in aiding athletes perform at their best and recover more quickly however it seems that Joe Public has taken this on board as well but sadly, us normal folk just don’t need them for the most part!
Although elite athletes can burn well over 1000 calories a session, some even more, the average calorie burn after a normal standard, half hour workout for everyday folk is around 125 to 400 of course depending on what you do.
One bottle of Gatorade straight after that workout can put approximately 150 of those calories right back into your body! What a waste when a 1 litre bottle of water can re-hydrate you just as well and do even more for your body with no calories at all! Worse still, if you have consumed a bottle during your exercise and then follow it down with another after you have finished, you could actually be leaving the gym or getting home from your run with more calories in than out! Horror!
Now I don’t want it to seem like I am picking on Gatorade because the truth is that just about all of these sports drinks have at least 5 teaspoons of sugar (many have more!) and that includes those with fancy names such as Vitamin Water or Smart Water or waters allegedly flavoured with just a touch of some sweet smelling, normally tropical fruit.
Do not be fooled, pure water is one of the only true hydrators out there without extra sugars and sodium as well as none of the additives and preservatives that stump most people in a spelling bee! There are a few non-sugar varieties out there like Powerade No Sugar, however be aware, that these can often have higher levels of sodium than their counterparts.
Some other cons in my view of sports drinks aside from the sugar (especially as though it is high GI sugars as well) is the price with most of these being quite expensive in relation to other drinks and of course water. Also I don’t agree with the claims from those manufacturers producing drinks with “added vitamins” because these are not long lost super training enhancing vitamins but merely vitamins that can and should be found in the everyday diets of healthy people. Great health and fitness stems first from a healthy and nutritious diet. If you do not have this already, you will always struggle no matter what training methods you use.
So in conclusion, unless you are an elite athlete undergoing extremely intense training sessions or events then for the most part, good old water is all we need to hydrate our bodies and recover after a session. The marketing and advertising guru’s have done a great job on these drinks but for normal people there is just no need and no point to add extra calories after you have already done the hard work. You probably wouldn’t eat a chocolate bar straight after a training session so try and lose the energy drinks. If you really feel you need a kick then try one of the no sugar varieties?
This article is in no way meaning to come across as saying most people do not work hard on their workouts, just to take the time for a reality check and remember the reasons why these drinks were designed for and ask yourself if you are working out under the same intense and physically demanding conditions. If yes, then well done and go for it. If not, then just grab that free water bottle!
Best of luck with your efforts,
Cameron
Work Hard – Expect Results!
