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Sports Drinks 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. Electrolytes maintain salt and potassium balances in the body. Sports drinks were originally formulated to enable people to rapidly replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating during activity. Sports drinks are mild carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions, designed to keep bodies well- hydrated and fueled during exercise of longer than 45 minutes. Drinking fluids during exercise also reduces the increase in body temperature and the amount of stress on the cardiovascular system and are especially important when exercising in hot environments. When fluid replacement is essential to ensure that dehydration does not occur, consuming water or a diluted sports drink is your best choice. Composition Sports drinks offer approximately 14-20 grams of carbohydrate per 250 ml (8 ounces). This carbohydrate level, delivers the optimal amount of both energy and fluid to enhance performance during exercise. The carbohydrates can come in many different forms: sucrose, glucose, fructose and glucose polymers. Sports drinks that contain mostly fructose may slow absorption down and cause stomach cramps because fructose is absorbed by passive diffusion in the gut. What to Look for in Sports Drinks: Sports drinks with higher percentages of the fast absorbing carbohydrates; Glucose, sucrose and glucose polymers (malto dextrins); 6-8 % carbohydrate in solution; 14-20 grams of carbohydrate per 250 ml; Approximately 100 mg sodium per 250 ml (8 ounces). There are three types of Sports Drinks all of which contain various levels of fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrate. Type of Content Isotonic Fluid, electrolytes and 6-8% carbohydrate Hypotonic Fluids, electrolytes and a low level of carbohydrate Hypertonic High level of carbohydrate Which is Most Suitable? Isotonic - quickly replaces fluids lost by sweating and supplies a boost of carbohydrate. This drink is the choice for most athletes. Glucose is the body's preferred source of energy therefore it may be appropriate to consume Isotonic drinks where the carbohydrate source is glucose in a concentration of 6% to 8% Hypotonic - quickly replaces fluids lost by sweating . Suitable for athletes who need fluid without the boost of carbohydrate. Hypertonic - used to supplement daily carbohydrate intake normally after exercise to top up muscle glycogen stores. **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)