A comparison of the pros and cons of sports drinks may help a person make a smarter choice, when deciding if a sports drink is right for them.

To begin with, sports drinks are beverages that contain electrolytes, as well as, carbohydrates and other nutrients a person may need to replenish fluids lost from the body, usually from exercise or another form of exertion.

Here is a list of the positive aspects of consuming sports drinks.

* Faster rate of fluid absorption when sports drinks are consumed, since the electrolyte minerals and sodium that are contained in these drinks, aid in enhancing fluids to absorb more rapidly into the body.

* Sports drinks promote the urge for consuming more liquids into the body, since the majority of sports drinks contain sodium, which initiates thirst.

* Consuming sports drinks, in lieu of water, provides the essential minerals that were lost, when a person experiences prolonged sweating due to excessive exercise or exertion. This helps in preventing dehydration, which can occur when fluids are not replaced in the body. Sports drinks have added sodium to help retain fluids for proper absorption.Extreme loss of sodium could even trigger hyponatraemia, which can have dangerous health impairments.

* Curb fatigue and help bring energy to the muscles with the sugar and carbohydrates many sports drinks contain. Strenuous and prolonged physical activity can bring a toll on a person's energy levels and sports drinks may help to alleviate this problem.

Here is as list of the negative aspects of consuming sports drinks.

* High sugar content in many sports drinks, may cause weakening or some erosion of tooth enamel. Many dentists are concerned at the climbing rate of teenagers, exhibiting cases of eroding tooth enamel.

* Not only can sports drinks negatively effect the teeth, but too many sugary drinks can add unwanted calories, which in turn, can contribute to an unhealthy weight. Some reports have even warned that a person who drinks a 20 ounce sports drink daily, for one year could potentially gain 13 pounds.

If you are not involved in prolonged vigorous exercise, most findings show that water alone should be sufficient to replenish any lost fluids your body undergoes.

* Many sports drinks contain high fructose syrup, which has shown to be linked to an increase in obesity, as well as metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of medical disorders that can increase your risk for heart disease.

* Increased sodium levels can occur with the regular use of sports drinks. A 20 ounce bottle of a popular sports drink raises the sodium levels of the recommended daily allowance of 14-19 year old by about 12 percent.

* Some sports drinks contain high levels of caffeine that, when multiple drinks are consumed daily, could cause problems such as headache, jittery feeling, or even heart palpitations.

Finally, although sports drinks may be helpful for prolonged sports activity, water seems to be the cheapest and easiest way to replenish necessary fluids lost by ordinary sweating.

Learn more about this author, Eva Perry.
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