Sodium

I'm not trying to answer your question -- but trying to understand why you think it is you have to eat more? Isn't it calories in/calories out? I'm trying to figure out why when I add exercise I have to eat the extra food. If I skip it -- won't my weight fall? I'm not sure about any of it and would love to see what the experts have to say about sodium.

It IS calories in vs. calories out. When you exercise, that means more calories 'out', so you need to put more 'in' to keep the deficit in the range it's supposed to be.

Excess sodium can cause issues such as heart and neurological abnormalities as well as water retention (your body will not excrete urine so it can use that water to dilute the excess Na in your vasculature). However, if you keep hydrated, the excess water will properly dilute your excess Na, and both can be excreted by your kidneys. As long as you have functioning organs, and remain properly hydrated, your body can regulate sodium pretty well. If you have a clean bill of health, sodium intake doesn't really need to be monitored that closely.

Now as to why sport drinks have so much, it's because when you exercise hard, you get dehydrated by losing water and salt in your sweat. You can also throw the electrolyte equilibrium off by losing more of one than the other. Excess sodium with a lack of water is not good, nor is taking in too much water with low sodium as it could over-dilute your concentration. The drinks serve as a equal replacement for what you lost.

I am very seldom over on sodium - leave the sport drinks if you think the sodium is too high. I don't think its that big of a deal if you go over a bit just remember high sodium will = water retention. I find my sodium goes over when I eat more processed foods.