Instead, kids and teens who play sports can improve their game through hard work and practice. These lessons and values will serve them well both on and off the field. KidsHealth Parents Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks.

en español: Bebidas deportivas y bebidas energizantes. Medically reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD. Listen Play Stop Volume mp3 Settings Close Player. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Are Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks?

Most kids, even athletes, need only plain water to stay hydrated. What Are the Kinds of Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks? Sports Drinks Sports drinks may be helpful for kids and teens who: do vigorous physical activity lasting longer than an hour, such as long-distance running and biking play high-intensity sports, such as soccer, basketball, or hockey These drinks contain carbohydrates sugar , which can provide an immediate source of energy at a time when the body's stores are used up.

However, casual athletes don't need sports drinks. For most kids, plain water is all they need. Experts Explain.

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Skip to Content Health Beauty Fitness Nutrition Life. sign in. BEST WALKING SHOES VALENTINE'S GIFTS FOR HER VALENTINE'S GIFTS FOR HIM BEST HAMSTRING STRETCHES HEALTHY SMOOTHIE RECIPES.

Our top picks 1. Pros Low calorie Variety of flavors No added sugar. Cons Some find the flavor weak. Electrolytes Sodium and potassium Added sugar 0. Pros No added sugar Antioxidants and vitamins included Low calories.

Cons Some reviewers report too strong of a flavor. Electrolytes Sodium, potassium, and magnesium Added sugar 0. Pros Gluten free High in potassium Super hydrating.

Cons 1 g added sugar. Electrolytes Potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium Added sugar 1 g. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.

Pros Sea salt and himalayan salt provide electrolytes No added sugars Low in carbs Low calorie. Cons Not for those with high blood pressure.

Pros Sugar free Provides protein. Cons Not vegetarian- or vegan-friendly. Electrolytes Sodium, potassium, and calcium Added sugar 0. Pros Antioxidants and vitamins included Zero calories Low price. Cons Not vegan. Electrolytes Sodium Added sugar 0.

Pros High potassium content No added sugar Includes vitamin C. Cons No sodium. Electrolytes Pottasium Added sugar 0. How to choose an electrolyte drink.

Here are a few tips to follow when looking for an electrolyte drink: Consider sodium: Sodium is an essential electrolyte for our body, but sodium recommended levels change from person to person. Are electrolyte drinks safe?

What are electrolytes? Benefits of electrolyte drinks. How do electrolyte drinks work? How often should I drink an electrolyte drink? Can you have too many electrolytes? Who should drink electrolyte drinks? Hydration Multiplier says it can help replace what you lose through sweat.

According to Liquid I. That said, the formula for Liquid I. Hydration Multiplier is rooted in a medical therapy developed by the World Health Organization called oral rehydration salts. Hydration Multiplier is not a medical therapy, but as it's based closely on a hydration solution used by major health agencies for decades , I'm confident it can replenish even the sweatiest of CrossFitters.

It's also gluten-free , dairy-free, non-GMO and vegan. Read more: How to make running on a treadmill more fun. Lipsa Shah , a certified personal trainer and yoga teacher, recommends Ultima Replenisher as a sports drink for those looking to lose weight because it's sugar-free and zero-calorie.

Ultima Replenisher has no sugar or artificial sweeteners -- it's sweetened with stevia -- and the first ingredient listed on the powder packets is magnesium citrate, which is a good indicator that this product is high-quality.

Magnesium is one of the electrolytes lost through sweat; that it's the first ingredient on the list means it is the most prevalent ingredient by volume in Ultima Replenisher. Ultima powder also contains calcium, zinc, manganese, chloride, potassium, sodium and phosphorous -- all essential nutrients that need replenishing after a good sweat.

We're getting super natural here. No, not supernatural -- super natural, as in the most natural beverage you could possibly drink while exercising and at the same level as water. Finding an all-natural sports drink is tough, because most are chock-full of artificial sweeteners, colorings and flavors.

Even the sports drinks that don't have any of that are still made in factories or labs and infused with minerals that might not be as bioavailable as those found in natural products. Shah recommends Harmless Harvest Coconut Water to those looking for a truly natural alternative.

While it's not explicitly marketed as a sports drink, Harmless Harvest Coconut Water has the ingredients you should look for in a sports drink: sugar, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.

The only actual ingredient on the bottle, though, is organic coconut water. Coconut contains all of those minerals without the need for fortification.

Wellness Fitness. Best Sports Drinks of Sports drinks can help you stay hydrated and energized through your workout. Written by Amanda Capritto. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks.

If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

Much of the marketing of sports drinks focuses on their ability to keep you hydrated by replacing water and electrolytes lost through sweat. How much you sweat can vary based on many factors, including how long and intensely you exercise, your training level and your environment.

One study compared 13 different beverages, including sports drinks and water, to see how well they hydrated the body Researchers provided They found that milk, orange juice and an oral rehydration solution provided the highest amount of hydration.

Oral rehydration solutions are specifically designed to cause fluid retention and contain higher levels of sodium and potassium than a normal sports drink. An interesting finding from this study was that there was no difference in the hydrating ability of water, sports drinks, tea and cola.

In fact, some beverages that are typically considered to be dehydrating, such as coffee and beer, hydrated the body about as much as water. In fact, other research has indicated that coffee can help keep you hydrated, contrary to popular belief Another factor to consider is that your enjoyment of certain beverages could affect how much you drink.

Research has shown that the flavor of sports drinks causes athletes to drink more than if they were consuming water alone 22 , As a result, drinks that taste better may be beneficial for increasing fluid consumption in those possibly at risk of dehydration. While sports drinks may help keep you hydrated, many other beverages can too.

Water and sports drinks provide a similar amount of hydration, although the flavor of sports drinks may cause some individuals to drink more.

Research supports their benefits in athletes and those performing long or intense exercise. The recommended amount varies based on the type of exercise. However, most active individuals in the general population do not exercise intensely enough or long enough to need sports drinks.

Additionally, many beverages can hydrate your body just as effectively as sports drinks, including plain water. Overall, sports drinks can benefit very active individuals and athletes, but they are not necessary for most people.

Some people say that if you want to be healthier, you should drink water first thing in the morning. This article reviews whether there's truth to…. Sparkling water may be fizzy and fun, but you may wonder whether it's as hydrating as regular water.

This article explains whether sparkling water…. While it's clear that drinking enough water is important to health, you may wonder whether the timing matters. This article takes a look at the…. Companies that make products such as Gatorade and Powerade market their drinks to youth sports teams, but experts say the liquids are loaded with….

Electrolytes like salt, potassium, and calcium perform a variety of important functions within your body. Looking for a new way to drink water? This infused H2O drink will keep you hydrated and healthy in more ways than you might think.

While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Carb counting is complicated. Take the quiz and test your knowledge! A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Should You Drink Sports Drinks Instead of Water?

By Grant Tinsley, Ph. Water vs Sports Drinks Athletes Most People Staying Hydrated Bottom Line If you ever watch sports, you have probably seen athletes sipping on brightly colored beverages before, during or after a competition. Water vs Sports Drinks. Share on Pinterest. Sports Drinks Can Benefit Athletes.

They Are Unnecessary for Most People. Many Different Beverages Can Help You Stay Hydrated. The Bottom Line. Share this article. Read this next. Is Gatorade Bad for You? Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.

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By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. What is an Electrolyte Imbalance and How Can You Prevent It? Most energy drinks have lots of sugar and caffeine — sometimes as much caffeine as in 1 to 3 cups of coffee. Too much sugar can put kids in the fast lane to the dentist's office and also contribute to weight gain.

Excessive caffeine comes with its own set of problems — especially in younger kids. In some kids, large amounts of caffeine can have even more serious side effects, including fast or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures. Many of these drinks also have other ingredients whose safety and effectiveness haven't been tested in children, including herbal supplements, guarana a source of caffeine , and taurine an amino acid thought to enhance performance and caffeine's effects.

For most kids, drinking water before, during, and after playing sports will keep them hydrated. Some athletes who exercise for long periods or in very hot weather can benefit from a sports drink that has sugar and electrolytes.

It's best for kids to skip the energy drinks. Many of the ingredients haven't been studied in children and could be harmful. Instead, kids and teens who play sports can improve their game through hard work and practice.

These lessons and values will serve them well both on and off the field. KidsHealth Parents Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks. en español: Bebidas deportivas y bebidas energizantes. Medically reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD. Listen Play Stop Volume mp3 Settings Close Player. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.

What Are Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks? Most kids, even athletes, need only plain water to stay hydrated. What Are the Kinds of Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks? Sports Drinks Sports drinks may be helpful for kids and teens who: do vigorous physical activity lasting longer than an hour, such as long-distance running and biking play high-intensity sports, such as soccer, basketball, or hockey These drinks contain carbohydrates sugar , which can provide an immediate source of energy at a time when the body's stores are used up.