Are Energy Drinks Better for Workouts?

  The benefit of drinking energy
drinks, such as Gatorade or PowerAde, for workouts weighs heavily on the amount
of time and intensity of the workout. 
If you are working out for weight loss purposes at a low to moderate
pace for an hour or less, water should be your beverage of choice.  If you are working out for training
purposes at a moderate to high intensity for a period of an hour or more,
energy drinks are a good idea, in addition to water.  When working out at high levels for extended periods of
time, we are sweating out electrolytes that need replenishing.  This can be true for an athlete
training for a race, or even for kids playing outside for extended periods of
time during the hot summer months. 
Training hard for long periods and only drinking water can lead to a
condition called hyponatremia (blood sodium levels are abnormally low).  Symptoms of hyponatremia to watch for
can include nausea and vomiting, headaches, dizziness, confusion, lethargy,
fatigue, appetite loss, restlessness and irritability, muscle weakness, spasms,
or cramps.  Fluid hydration is
important not only during a workout, but before and after.  The American College of Sports Medicine
recommends the following hydration guidelines: 

**You may need more
fluids the larger your body or the warmer the climate.

Estelle L. Benoit, RD, LDN
Source:  mayoclinic.com and eatright.org