Water vs sports drinks

sharonsjones

Is it better to drink sports drinks after a long run or water? I have never drank a sports drink in my life and someone suggested drinking them to replace my electrolytes.

Allyson1985

I tend to stick with water, but if I drink a sports drink, its Gatorade, the G2 Series.

godroxmysox

I prefer water because it doesn't have calories, but I'm curious to know the health benefits of each...

bwesser

If you are going to use a sports drink, my recommendation is to dilute it. I use the G2 series as well, but only use about 1/4 of it in a waterbottle, then fill the rest up with water.

This way you are getting your electrolytes, but you are not putting all that sugar in your system that you don't need.

ksmarathon2010

I drink smartwater because it has electrolytes, no calories and no flavor.

MKistler77

Water is always the best choice. :happy:

sweetiepie31612

I get cramps ALOT from working out. Usually right after my workout I'll have a tall glass of 1/2 water 1/2 pedialyte. The pedialyte helps with the electrolytes and stops the cramping. After that 1 mixed glass though its water the rest of the day/night for me.

FrenchMob

Depends how long a run you're talking about. 1 hour or less probably not. When you start getting into the 1.5-3 hr runs, it's probably best to be drinking some sports drink to replenish electrolytes.

theginnyray

I drink milk (or chocolate milk) after a run. I use skim and 1 tbs of chocolate syrup for a little flavor.

Just not a fan of sports drinks. I especially don't like the "diet" ones, in my head they are pretty comparable to soda with all of the sweeteners and dyes.

bj27

drinks such as gatorade replace electrolytes.. ie - salts... you can get the same effect by drinking water with salt in it but who wants to do that ??? But you definitely want to stick to the lower calorie types such as the G2 series.. at only 20 calories it's a much better compromise.
The only reason to drink them rather than water is if you need the electrolyte replacement... most people get enough salt within their diet that they don't need to do this... if you are a marathon runner or high endurance athlete it becomes an issue for most of us it's a non issue...stick to water.. save your money !

sillygoose1977

NUUN tablets are great in your water. I think they have 4 calories and not too much flavor. I use them when I ride. Sometimes water just isn't enough to keep me hydrated.

FrenchMob

If you are going to use a sports drink, my recommendation is to dilute it. I use the G2 series as well, but only use about 1/4 of it in a waterbottle, then fill the rest up with water.

This way you are getting your electrolytes, but you are not putting all that sugar in your system that you don't need.

That low of a quantity you might as well not even bother. The G2 series hardly has any sugar...I think it's 20 cals for 250ml which is nothing if you're exercising 1+ hr.

sharonsjones

Thank yall very much for your input. I get foot cramps after I do long runs, 1+ hrs. I'm going to try the G2 and see if it helps.

rocketpants

As was already said under one hour don't worry about it. (Unless you sweat a lot)

If you are running for more than an hour you should be taking in calories / carbs anyway. I like cytomax sport powder (fruit punch flavor) way better than gatorate

aviduser

Depends how long a run you're talking about. 1 hour or less probably not. When you start getting into the 1.5-3 hr runs, it's probably best to be drinking some sports drink to replenish electrolytes.

What he said.

ShapeUpSidney

I like gu chomps instead of a drink.

aviduser

Thank yall very much for your input. I get foot cramps after I do long runs, 1+ hrs. I'm going to try the G2 and see if it helps.

Cramps can be a sign of electrolyte loss.

Another option for longer runs and other endurance training (running, swimming, cycling, etc) is Hammer Nutrition's Enduralytes. They are capsules that you take with water, so all the benefits of electrolytes (not just sodium) and no calories.

However, if you are running (or whatever) for an hour, you probably need some sugars & other carbs for continued energy during the exercise. That is where sports drinks come in--they replenish fluids and electrolytes and provide fuel for exercise.

honu18

i go with powerade zero. no calories but electrolyte replacement

aj_rock

1+ hour runs I'd actually suggest you drink a full sports drink, and hydrate DURING the run, not after.

The sugar actually helps by improving muscle glucose levels; marathon runners do it all the time.
Otherwise, you 'bonk' and your energy just DIPS.