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Myths Vs. Truths Myth: Loss of body fluids through sweating is minimal and is unnoticeable. Truth: Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration and eventually heat stroke and circulatory collapse. Myth: You can never drink too much water. Truth: Drinking too much water is called water intoxication and can produce neurological symptoms ranging from disoriented behaviour to convulsions, coma, and even death. Myth: Children cannot become dehydrated. Truth: Children and Infants are more likely to become dehydrated because they have less body weight and a higher turnover of water and electrolytes. Myth: It is best for athletes to only drink when thirsty to prevent stomach cramps. Truth: Waiting until you feel thirsty is not a good way to ensure your drinking enough fluid, keep your body hydrated before you feel thirsty. Myth: It is best to drink large amounts of fluids before and not during a physical activity. Truth: It is recommended that you drink 1-2 cups of water before beginning any physical activity and then replenishing fluids throughout. Myth: Consuming an energy drink is the best way to refuel. Truth: Rather than re-hydrating the body, energy drinks may actually lead to dehydration. Myth: Energy drinks and sports drinks are the same thing. Truth: Sport drinks are not the same as energy drinks. Sport drinks function to re-hydrate the body. Sports drinks also provide sugars, which the body burns to create energy and replenish electrolytes. Energy drinks provide a surge of energy due to the large amounts of caffeine. Myth: Carbohydrates make you gain weight and should be avoided. Truth: Carbohydrates provides the most readily available superior source of fuel or "energy" for muscles to use in moderate to high intensity exercise. Carbohydrates should be included in all athletes’ diets. Myth: All fats are bad for your health and should be avoided. Truth: Fat provides the body’s major store of energy. Your body requires some fat for essential functions. However, too much can contribute to being overweight, heart disease and other health problems. Unsaturated fats come from plants and fish. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help reduce cholesterol levels. Myth: An athlete should eat as much protein as possible because protein functions to develop big strong muscles. Truth: It is possible to have too much protein in your diet. Too much protein can cause excessive urination, increased calcium loss and weight gain due to most high-protein foods being high in fat. **All text cited from: (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/prod/energy-energie_e.html#is) (http://www.newsandevents.utoronto.ca/bios/askus5.htm) (http://www.hornetjuice.com/sports_drinks_index.html) (http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/redbull/index.html) (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/energy-drinks/AN01630)