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Basically, a sports drink should be tasty while replacing the essence of sweat, i.e., water and salt. Glucose (or blood sugar) and sodium (the salt in sweat) are key ingredients for optimal fluid and electrolyte replacement during periods of heavy sweating. Research studies indicate that sport drinks containing simple carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose and fructose) plus minerals (sodium, potassium, chloride, etc.) also provide greater rehydration benefits than water alone.(1,2) However, compared to drinks sweetened with lots of sugar, blends using only a little glucose promote faster gastric emptying (movement of fluid from the stomach to the small intestine) and absorption into the blood.(3)
Sweat contains about 800mg sodium per liter, whereas a typical sports drink has only half that much. There is risk of hyponatremia (low blood sodium) developing from sweat losses during prolonged exercise, so a better strategy than sweet sports drinks is needed for optimal salt replacement.(4) This is why our SportAktive Easy formula contains 400mg sodium per tablet.
(1) Barr SI, Costill DL, Fink WJ. Fluid replacement during prolonged exercise: effects of water, saline, or no fluid. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1991;23(7):811-7.
(2) Von Duvillard SP, Braun WA, Markofski M, Beneke R, Leithauser R. Fluids and hydration in prolonged endurance performance. Nutrition 2004 Jul-Aug;20(7-8):651-6.
(3) Leiper JB. Intestinal water absorption – implications for the formulation of rehydration solutions. Int J Sports Med 1998 Jun;19 Suppl 2:S129-32.
(4) Dennis SC, Noakes TD, Hawley JA. Nutritional strategies to minimize fatigue during prolonged exercise: fluid, electrolyte and energy replacement. J Sports Sci 1997;15(3):305-13.
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