Health & Fitness Bulletins

May 29, 2024

Water vs Sports Drinks

Whether you are exercising vigorously or not, proper hydration is very important, especially in Texas. Dehydration can blunt the value of your exercise and even lead to health complications. A classic question on everyone’s mind is which is better for hydration: water or specially formulated sports drinks.

The rule of thumb in the water vs sports drink debate is start by considering the length and intensity of exercise. If you are exercising for less than an hour, water will hydrate sufficiently without adding unnecessary calories to your diet. If you are exercising at high intensity for an hour or more, then the electrolytes and calories in sports drinks may be a better fit.

Sports drinks are designed to replace electrolytes and provide carbohydrates to help boost endurance. These prove optimal for athletes who are exercising intensely for long periods of time. The average person exercising for health reasons usually does not need the extra boost.

Overhydration is also something to avoid as it can lead to health complications as well. If your is urine clear, that’s a sign of overhydration. Regardless of which one you drink, stay vigilant about hydration - especially this summer.