Are sports drinks really making a positive impact on your physical performance?
Google how much liquid to stay hydrated and you’ll see anything from 1.5-2L per day. Many sites also advise ignore your thirst refex and drink small amounts often.Some claim the sodium in sports drinks makes you thirstier.
A British Medical Journal reviewed 1,035 web pages and found 431 claims the drinks improved athletic performance – worryingly more than half of the sites neglected to provide any references.
One problem is many sports drinks users exercise very few hours per week and at low intensity. Sports drinks may also be contributing towards childhood obesity. The average 500ml bottle contains 20g sugar (5 teaspoons).
Click here to read the full article by the course leader of MSc Sports & Exercise Nutrition, University Westminster
