Investigated
A sports drink is a flavoured beverage which contains electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, and a large amount of sugar. They are scientifically formulated to restore energy during or after strenuous activity or sports.
When an athlete participates in strenuous sport in hot conditions they can sweet up to two litres an hour which can put pressure on the heart and increase the bodies overall temperature and ultimately affect mental and physical performance, which means that it is important to keep hydrated during strenuous exercise to maximise performance. Also when exercises athletes sweet out vital minerals including sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium, and it is vital to replace these minerals. Sports drinks contain electrolytes which are the minerals stated above, meaning the easiest way to replace lost fluids is to drink a sports drink. Although it is only recommended to drink a sports drink after strenuous activity e.g. an AFL game. …show more content…
Gatorade contains a 6 percent solution of carbohydrates, or 6 grams of carbohydrates per 100 millilitres of liquid. A bottle of Gatorade contains 16 grams of carbohydrates. It is extremely important to refuel your body during activity to allow yourself to perform at your best which is why it is important to choose a sports drink over water.
Dehydration can occur when your body losses to much water and can have serious consequences on your health. Sodium is vital in keeping your water levels stable; Gatorade contains 95 mg of sodium to help maintain hydration.
Potassium is beneficial for reducing muscle cramps during exercise. During exercise the body burns off potassium in the muscles and some is also lost through sweat. Gatorade contains 37 millilitres of potassium in each bottle which helps to replenish potassium stores and prevent muscle cramping during