by Melly Kenny

Created on: September 29, 2009   Last Updated: October 01, 2009

When people hear the words sport drinks, many of them think of a few things. First thoughts are sport drinks are nutritious, full of vitamins and they replenishes the body's fluids. All those aspects are true, for the most part. There is also another side to sports drinks that many people do not realize. Overusing can cause more harm than good, especially for people who do not exercise. The main purpose of sports drinks is to replenish the body during or after physical activity. They are not meant to be an everyday drink for lazing around.

PROS:

- Athletes and active adults typically drink sports drinks after exercising and sweating. Physical activity causes one to sweat, allowing the body to lose vitamins and fluids. Vitamins and fluids are essential for proper functioning. Sport drinks replenish vitamins in one body lost through physical activity.

- Sports drinks give taste buds a change from typical water. Water is always the best drink to chose while working out, but water can become plain. It is nice to drink something different every once in awhile, sports drinks are the next best thing.

- Sport drinks are full of carbohydrates and allow them to enter the body fast. Carbohydrate content should always be up while exercising or playing sports. Carbohydrates heightens performance, and keeps muscles operating properly. Most sport drinks that contain carbohydrates, also have proteins within. Consuming drinks that contain carbohydrates and protein helps physical activity.

- Sports drinks are convenient and easy to carry along. You can find sport drinks at any store or gas station. Sport drink bottles are also easy to transport and reusable.

CONS:

- Sports drinks have been known to dissolve teeth. Products are often full of sodium and sugar. Sugar and sodium can cling to teeth and eat away at enamel. People who normally consume sport drinks are low on fluids, and have little saliva. Saliva protects teeth, lack of saliva can create tooth decay while drinking sport drinks.

- Sport drinks are made with vitamins and minerals, but most are also full of sugar. There are over eight teaspoons of sugar per every eight ounces of fluid. There is almost as much sugar in one sport drink as a can of soda. Too much sugar overtime can lead to serious health problems. Diabetes, high blood pressure and weight gain are only a few problems sugar can cause. In moderation sugar content is fine, but all sport drink consumers should be cautious.

- Caffeine is also another ingredient in most sports drinks. Products can contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. Caffeine can be harmful to nervous systems and should be used only in moderation. Caffeine can also cause other symptoms such as sleeplessness, restlessness, dizziness and hypertension.

* All sports drinks should only be drank in moderation. The drink tends to not be a problem for people who have active lifestyles. People who are not active and consume sport drinks could cause harm to their bodies. Always take into consideration the pros and cons of sport drinks. It's not worth it to harm yourself if you do not need the product.*

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