Is Water Better Than Gatorade While Exercising?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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While Gatorade can help you stay hydrated, it’s best to only drink it when needed. For people who aren’t exercising for at least one hour, five days per week, water is the best bet for staying hydrated .

What is the best drink to keep you hydrated during exercise?

The best bet for rehydration is to consume a low-cal beverage that contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Good choices include sports drinks (go low-cal if your workout), try coconut water, or water with a slice of fruit. The refreshing hint of flavor may drive you to drink more. How much is enough?

Can Gatorade replace water intake?

Gatorade, because of its electrolyte content, helps to restore the lost electrolytes and keep a person hydrated, during intense activity. It can also replace electrolytes , during times of illness, such as stomach viruses.

Is water the best thing to drink while working out?

If you are working out you are expending energy, your heart rate is increasing and you are going to sweat. Drinking water throughout your workout will help prevent dehydration . The American Council on exercise recommends drinking 7 to 10 ounces of water every 20 minutes in your workout.

Which is better to drink during a workout sports drinks or water?

The recommendation is adults and children should only have sports drinks during extended and heavy exercise that lasts longer than an hour. “ Water, water and water should be the beverage of choice for hydration before, during and after physical activity or exercise routines lasting less than one hour,” Dr. Nish says.

Does isotonic drink make you fat?

While using sports drinks inappropriately could cause you to gain weight , using them correctly will not. The people who consume the most sports drinks are actually among the leanest people in society, because they get the most exercise.

Is it better to drink water or Gatorade?

While Gatorade can help you stay hydrated, it’s best to only drink it when needed. For people who aren’t exercising for at least one hour, five days per week, water is the best bet for staying hydrated. Electrolytes coming from natural sources without added sugars and dyes are recommended.

Why should we not drink water after exercise?

In the case of those doing longer workouts of an hour or more, some carbohydrate containing drink may be more beneficial. However, drinking ice-cold water right after exercising may cause the digestive system and the internal organs to receive a shock , causing chronic pain in the stomach.

What should I eat during a workout?

  • An energy bar.
  • A banana, an apple or other fresh fruit.
  • Yogurt.
  • A fruit smoothie.
  • A whole-grain bagel or crackers.
  • A low-fat granola bar.
  • A peanut butter sandwich.
  • Sports drink or diluted juice.

How much water should you drink per day?

So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men . About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women .

Is Gatorade bad for your kidneys?

When the body has excess sodium that the kidneys must absorb and process, the body expels calcium. This calcium, in turn, leads to kidney stones and damages the kidneys. Drinking excess sports drinks like Gatorade increases the likelihood of this happening.

Are Gatorade zeros good for you?

Gatorade Zero is also a great option for athletes who prefer to get the carbohydrate energy they need to fuel working muscles from products such as gels or chews, as a supplement to their hydration choice.

What can I drink instead of Gatorade?

  • Coconut water. Coconut water, or coconut juice, is the clear liquid found inside of a coconut. ...
  • Milk. ...
  • Watermelon water (and other fruit juices) ...
  • Smoothies. ...
  • Electrolyte-infused waters. ...
  • Electrolyte tablets. ...
  • Sports drinks. ...
  • Pedialyte.

Is it bad to drink a lot of water during a workout?

The new guidelines, published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, state that drinking excessive amounts of water or sports drinks during workouts can lead to a life-threatening condition known as exercise-associated hyponatremia .

How much water do you lose during exercise?

If water is consumed during exercise subtract the water weight from the post exercise weight. Every 2.2 pounds a person loses equates to 1 liter of fluid loss (sweat loss). For example, if someone loses 5 pounds in 1 hour their sweat rate is 5/2.2 = 2.27 liters/hour.

Should you drink cold water when working out?

According to a 2012 study , drinking cold water during exercise can help keep your body from overheating and make your workout session more successful. This is probably because drinking cold water makes it easier for your body to maintain a lower core temperature.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.