Water vs sports drinks

sharonsjones
sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
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.

Replies

  • Allyson1985
    Allyson1985 Posts: 148
    I tend to stick with water, but if I drink a sports drink, its Gatorade, the G2 Series.
  • godroxmysox
    godroxmysox Posts: 1,491 Member
    I prefer water because it doesn't have calories, but I'm curious to know the health benefits of each...
  • bwesser
    bwesser Posts: 61
    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
    ksmarathon2010 Posts: 70
    I drink smartwater because it has electrolytes, no calories and no flavor.
  • MKistler77
    MKistler77 Posts: 10
    Water is always the best choice. :happy:
  • sweetiepie31612
    sweetiepie31612 Posts: 240 Member
    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
    FrenchMob Posts: 1,167 Member
    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
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    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
    bj27 Posts: 7 Member
    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
    sillygoose1977 Posts: 2,151 Member
    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
    FrenchMob Posts: 1,167 Member
    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
    sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
    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. :smile:
  • rocketpants
    rocketpants Posts: 419 Member
    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
    aviduser Posts: 208 Member
    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
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    I like gu chomps instead of a drink.
  • aviduser
    aviduser Posts: 208 Member
    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. :smile:

    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
    honu18 Posts: 294 Member
    i go with powerade zero. no calories but electrolyte replacement :)
  • aj_rock
    aj_rock Posts: 390 Member
    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.
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