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No

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No, but with a qualifier: Elctrolyte- and sugar-based drinks are better than water beyond a certain high threshold of physical exertion. And that threshold is usually reserved for marathons, long-distance triathlons and/or exertion in extreme heat for prolonged periods.

Ironically, the best case for water as your prime hydrator comes right out of the sports drink hype machine. After years of convincing average Americans that salt-heavy sports drinks were essential to their half-hour, low-sweat routines (lest you pass out on your recumbent bike during "Oprah"), the same beverage giants are now trumpeting the latest in lab research: WATER! Gatorade's Propel is one of the most prominent, but these products are now almost as ubiquitous as energy drinks. Propel touts that its water is "enhanced with B vitamins ... and antioxidents." Want to sell a nutritional product? Just put the word "antioxidents" on the label. Americans have been going for that for almost 20 years.

The body sweats in order to maintain proper body heat, and in the process, electrolytes are lost. Many people do not know that the body's production of sweat is controlled to ensure that only small amounts of electrolytes are lost in perspiration. The kidneys also conserve fluid and electrolytes by cutting back on urine production during dehydration. Experts say it is only after one hour of strenuous exercise such as running that electrolytes need to be replenished.

The average Joe or Jane's daily workout probably doesn't even come close to triggering the need for salt, calcium, potassium, vitamin and sugar replacement provided by the much-hyped and thriving sports drink sector. If you don't drench your clothing for at least an hour, H20 has been proved to be ample to combat dehydration. People on drugs such as lithium, in general, sweat more and risk lithium toxicity when becoming too dehydrated, yet doctors say even those patients need to worry little about regular strenuous workouts.

Don't think sports drinks are at least 90% marketing hype? Have you noticed how many "new" products Gatorade has been rolling out lately? Check the labels. Are the ingredients different? Not really. G2 has half the calories. Holy Hydration Plus Calorie Cutting, Batman! 8 ounces of G2 has 25 calories, down from a whopping 50 calories for 8 ounces of regular Gatorade. Who are these people that obsess over 25 calories after a good workout?

Gatorade is clearly the Michael Jordan of drink marketing. Its basic "Thirst Quencher" line contains Rain, Frost, Lemonade, Lemon-Lime, X-Factor, Xtremo, Fierce and AM. Its Performance Series includes Endurance Formula, Energy Drink, bars and a nutrition shake. And now it's bestowing upon us a "special" water.

I hope they don't stop the "Rain," though. I like the taste of that one.

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