Electrolytes include minerals like sodium , potassium , calcium , chloride, magnesium , and phosphate. Their job is to:. Dehydration losing water from illness, sweating, medications, or liver and kidney problems can disrupt your electrolyte balance. There are some differences between the beverages sold by Gatorade and Pedialyte.
These nutritional variations may impact which beverage you choose. A study found Gatorade and Pedialyte were both effective at treating 75 dehydrated adults dealing with a viral digestive illness. Large amounts of unabsorbed carbs can actually increase the flow of water and electrolytes in your intestines, making diarrhea worse.
Alcohol is a diuretic and makes you pee, causing extra fluid loss. So it makes sense an electrolyte beverage would help cure your hangover right? Gatorade has definitely been a top sports drink for decades, and not just because of marketing. Dehydration can really mess with your performance , and carbs offer quick energy to help keep your endurance up.
We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Staying hydrated regulates body temperature, allows your heart to work more efficiently , prevents headaches and muscle fatigue, aids digestion, and even boosts your mood.
Sports Drinks They were originally developed for hardcore athletes to replenish electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, that are lost in sweat, plus carbohydrates that muscles use for fuel.
And sports drinks could offset the calorie-burning benefits of exercise. Zero-calorie and low-calorie sports drinks might not have any sugar or as much but may have artificial sweeteners. And both types might have artificial colors or other added ingredients.
Also, read labels; some products are full of sugars. Plant Waters Labeling on certain trendy plant waters like coconut, maple, and cactus suggests that these drinks are more hydrating than water or that they're a more natural alternative to sports drinks.
Coconut water has about 40 to 65 calories and 9 to 14 grams of sugars in 8 ounces; cactus and maple have about 25 calories and 5 grams of sugars in 8 ounces. Iced Tea Brewed tea has negligible calories and contains antioxidants that may improve heart health and lower the risk of cognitive decline and type 2 diabetes. Many bottled iced teas are nutritionally on a par with soda , containing loads of sugars. Diet iced teas are low in sugars and calories, but they may have artificial sweeteners , such as aspartame and sucralose.
A research review from the University of California, Berkley in points out that most researchers are basing their results on the performance of serious athletes. Therefore, serious athletes competing or exercising for longer than an hour at a time may find Gatorade offers benefits that water does not. However, scientists do not recommend Gatorade or other sports drinks, in most circumstances, for the average person or child, exercising or competing for less than an hour.
The manufacturers have designed Gatorade for serious athletes and those involved in extended, vigorous activities. Typically, serious athletes and people involved in long, strenuous activities can handle the added sugar, as they will burn it off, during their normal routines. Extra sugar is more likely to cause health complications in people who exercise less often or only for an hour or less. Central Washington University compared calorie counts of Gatorade and other drinks per serving:.
According to the same information, Gatorade offers 14 grams g of carbohydrates per serving compared to 27 g in Coca-Cola and 25 g in orange juice.
They also link this to chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The researchers suggest sports drinks may be using misleading labels and advertising to promote health benefits that science has not fully proven. For most people, including children and adolescents, the extra sugar, sodium, and calories found in sugary drinks are not necessary. In fact, these calories may be replacing calorie intake from more nutritious sources. In addition to calories, people should conside some other factors.
Lower calorie versions of Gatorade contain artificial sweeteners that some research indicates may lead to ongoing weight problems. One study published in suggests that artificial sweeteners may increase weight when consumed regularly. A final consideration, especially for those with allergies and sensitivity, is the presence of food dyes in Gatorade and other sports drinks. This caution is because some research has linked artificial dyes to health issues, such as hyperactivity and, potentially, cancers.
What people call the stomach flu is not the same as the respiratory flu, but both can result in dehydration, which makes one feel worse. The use of oral rehydration is a general recommendation for any ill person with mild to moderate dehydration, and its use might delay or even prevent the need for acute care.
However, Bowman also cautions that those concerned about dehydration or other symptoms of the flu should contact their primary care providers immediately. Media contact: Dee Dee Grays , Facebook 0 Tweet 0. Author Details.
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