Important Sports Drink Facts

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You may be tempted to think of the multi-billion dollar sports drink industry as you browse the beverage aisles at your local grocery store. Whether you should indulge or not may depend on your exercise demands.

A sports drink such as https://drinkharlo.com/products/electrolytes-collagen-creatine provides a combination of water, electrolytes and carbohydrates to help replace energy and depleted sweat stores during long exercise sessions. They also aid hydration, delay fatigue and prevent dehydration and electrolyte deficiencies.

Water

Purified water makes up more than 90 percent of most sports beverages. The drink contains carbohydrates that are intended to provide athletes and active people with a quick-released energy source. Most sports drinks contain electrolytes that are meant to replenish those lost by sweating during exercise. Sodium and chloride are commonly used as electrolytes, although other common ones include potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron. Electrolyte levels in sports drinks vary depending on intensity and duration.

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The production process of sports drinks can be a difficult one. The formulation of the beverage must take into account a number of factors, such as carbohydrate and electrolyte concentrations, osmolality and flavouring components. The beverage must also be safe for athletes and active individuals. The beverage must also be pasteurized to ensure that it is free of harmful bacteria and protozoa.

Once the formula of the sports beverage has been determined, manufacturing begins. The ingredients are combined in stainless steel tanks. They are then heated at a high temperature to sterilize them. This step is essential because many of the ingredients used in sports drinks aren’t inert, and could pose a contamination risk.

As the beverage is heated it is also agitated, to ensure that the different ingredients are fully combined. The final product is filtered to remove any impurities, and obtain a clear liquid. The final product is then packaged and sold to consumers.

In the last decade there has been an increase in functional lipid-enriched drinks that contain healthier oils. These beverages are marketed as enhancing muscle performance through the absorption of fatty oils, which is then converted into energy by the oxidation process. Some sports drinks contain choline (a derivative of cysteine), which is believed to enhance muscle performance because it stimulates acetylcholine production.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for working muscles when exercising. A sports drink is designed to replenish the carbohydrate and fluids lost during intense or long-term exercise and to maintain the physiological functions of the body while exercising. In addition to providing fuel, the carbohydrates found in sports drinks provide fluids that are lost through sweating. This helps keep you hydrated during exercise. Sports drinks are primarily composed of water, carbohydrates, electrolytes, and sweeteners. Other ingredients include flavoring, coloring and preservatives. Sports drinks are most commonly available in liquid form (88%), followed by powders and concentrates (11% and 1%, respectively).

A properly formulated sports beverage should encourage voluntary fluid intake, stimulate rapid fluid absorbtion and provide carbohydrate to improve performance. It should also augment the physiological response to exercise, and be isotonic — in balance with the body’s fluids (280-300 mOsmol/kg).

In commercial sports drinks, the main carbohydrate is glucose or surose. This carbohydrate is usually found in concentrations ranging from 6% to 9% of weight/volume. Other carbohydrates, like maltodextrins are sometimes added to enhance water absorption and change the taste. A sports drink may also contain small amounts of mineral salts, such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. These are stabilized by adding citric or malic acids to form ionic forms.

It is important to remember that even though the sports drink provides energy, it may still contain a lot of calories if consumed in large amounts. Sports drinks with more than 20 grams carbohydrates can be high calorie if you exercise vigorously for a 30 minute period.

Most sports drinks also contain a wide range of antioxidants that are known to decrease the rate of lipid peroxidation in muscles after exercise. This helps to prevent oxidative damage that can be caused by the rapid rate of energy metabolism, and the repetitive contractions that occur during intense or long-term exercise. In addition to the antioxidants, most sports drinks also contain n-3 fatty acids, which are important for normal cell structure.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are important for a healthy body. An imbalance in these important minerals can cause a variety of symptoms including weakness, cramping and dehydration. Many beverage choices, such as coconut water and green tea, contain an adequate supply of these nutrients. If you experience signs of an electrolyte imbalance, such as sweating excessively or feeling weak after workouts, talk to a health care professional. He or she will help you create a treatment or supplementation program.

A sports drink is designed to replace fluids and electrolytes that are lost during prolonged moderate or intense exercise. These drinks also contain carbohydrates that improve performance by increasing energy availability. These beverages may also contain ingredients like amino acids that can help reduce fatigue and improve muscle performance, and B vitamins that can boost metabolism and provide energy.

Functional lipid-enriched drink are becoming more popular due to their ability promote hydration, improve athletic performance and treat or prevent certain conditions. These drinks can be made with a variety of fats including saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats as well as healthier oils like olive oil. Some have been shown to decrease inflammation, which is associated with aging and certain diseases. They can also stimulate metabolic activity and increase protein synthesis, which helps with recovery from exercise.

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