Sports Drinks alternative?

[Technotart]

You can buy flavored versions. Frankly - when I'm out in the heat I don't care what I am drinking taste wise, as long as it does the trick. It isn't that bad.
I figure if I can eat GU, Clif shots and other ick...Pedialyte's NUTHIN!

[wabisabi]

My chiropractor, who cycles, made an observation that I thought I would pass along. I try to be careful about hydration because of a kind of colitis that I have that can be really aggravated by the wrong kinds of food/additives that cause things to, ahem, pass through me quickly and a consequent electrolyte imbalance. I usually deal with it and don't have problems. Recently I have been getting leg and foot cramps again. She mentioned that when someone approaches being an "athlete", which she said, at 100 miles a week I might be (I'm 55), that the body adjusts to make the best use of water. This means that sometimes the stuff in the sports drink additives can throw the body off--too many minerals, which is sometimes the problem that people encounter when they travel and "drink the water". I recalled that I had gone to adding the full amount of cytomax to my bottles--not sure why, it never gets above the low 60's here on the coast in the summer. Anyway, she suggested only adding half as much of the powder as recommended.

[traveller_62]

There area a lot of factors to consider in deciding a hydration/nutrition strategy. For rides under an hour I use GU or HammerGel and plain water. If I drink a "sports drink" product for these shorter or low intensity rides I find that it bothers my stomach.

For intense rides over two hours I eat a sandwich (usually peanut butter and honey) two hours before the ride and then use Accelerade (made up from powder) during the ride. If I do extra hills in my longer work outs I take along some GU for an extra boost about mid-way through the ride.

I have never been able to tolerate Gatorade....even diluted. My stomach cramps up terribly. The Accerlerade isn't pleasant to drink (kind of thick) but I've found that it really is effective for staying hydrated.

I agree with many of the others that have posted here that we sometimes over compensate for the loss of electrolytes/minerals and end up with an osmotic imbalance that actually hurts muscle performance.

traveller

[bcipam]

There is a product you can buy that when used in plain water, creates a drink that contains all the electrolytes you need. The product is ordorless and favorless and contains no sugar. Of course for the life I can't remember the name but the local bike shop/Tri-Alth. shop will know. It comes in a little bottle and just 2 drops are needed for one water bottle. If I come up with the name I'll let you know. [I think it's made by Enervit but uncertain...)

[Helen]

There is a product you can buy that when used in plain water, creates a drink that contains all the electrolytes you need.

I am afraid it contains too many chemicals for my taste ... even if it has no sugar. It can't be natural ... Am I wrong ?

[traveller_62]

Actually electrolytes are a natural part of your body's chemistry. Muscles won't work without 'em. Sports drinks and the related products just allow you to deliver them more efficiently to your muscles when you are doing intense exercise. So I don't think you should think of them as being somehow artificial.

If you are working out hard for hours at a time or are in a competition (bike race, triathlon, etc.) you will need to take in replacement electrolytes or risk muscle fatigue/failure. For regular old workouts I don't think they are needed. If you've eaten sufficiently well prior to working out and drink plain water to stay hydrated you will usually be fine.

cheers,
traveller

[SadieKate]

Endurolytes from Hammer come in both a capsule and powder form. I've had excellent luck with them (thanks, V and AG and ??!). I generally don't worry about electrolytes or calories for rides under an hour. If it is hot (90F and above), I will use 1 bottle or 1 capsule of electrolytes. It seems to make recovery easier.

[Helen]

Actually electrolytes are a natural part of your body's chemistry. Muscles won't work without 'em. Sports drinks and the related products just allow you to deliver them more efficiently to your muscles when you are doing intense exercise. So I don't think you should think of them as being somehow artificial.

I am sorry I was under that impression ... now I understand it completely. But what about the electrolytes produced by our own bodies. According to your sayings, our bodies will produce the right electrolytes only if we are well fed and hydrated ? In this case ... I think I'll chose the natural way ... its a lot more economical too