From my experience In High School Being a Volleyball player and Football manager sports drinks are my specialty. Here are the Pro's and con's of sports drinks:

Pros: Studies clearly show that athletes (even weekend warriors and kids running around their backyards) benefit from chugging sports drinks instead of water. Why, you ask? We tend to drink 25 percent to a whopping 90 percent more of flavored sports drinks than plain old water, thus preventing dehydration.

Bonus: The carbohydrates in sports drinks help fuel active muscles, preventing fatigue and encouraging increased effort.

Cons: Sports drinks are NOT helpful when you're watching sports on TV, sitting around the pool or enjoying a fast-food burger and fries. Ounce for ounce, sports drinks have about half the calories and sugar of fruit juice or regular soft drinks -- but the calories add up more quickly than you'd think. The message is clear: If you're not exercising, drink water instead. You don't need the electrolytes, and you haven't earned the calories.

In my opinion YES the pro's outweight the con's. But I have not heard of any "green" sports Drinks, but if you do let me know!

 

 

I also have not heard of any "green" sports drinks. I stick with water! It is great for the environment and wonderful for your body and health. I will drink gatorade every once in a while, but only if I feel like I need something after exercising - and after already drinking water. You have sparked my curiousity though. I will ask some friends if they can recommend anything.

While sports drinks offer electrolytes and as monmac mentioned carbohydrates... they do have a lot of sugar and this reduces the rate of water absorption so this prevents cells from getting properly hydrated. But that sugar does give you that extra stamina so it's not that bad afterall. To the point; sports drinks don't hydrate as effectively in comparison to water.

 

I haven't found anything that's equally good as sports drinks (taste-wise) but that hydrates effectively like water does. I just stick to water, and throwing in a sports drink or two every once in a while to get those electrolytes is a good combo.

 The answer is clear though, water is the best choice for rehydration. But you should also consider that you will drink more of what you like and eventually get better hydration by drinking that sports drink. I guess it all depends on your personal likes. 

 

note: Water is friendlier to the environment, you should consider the plastic containers those sports drinks usually come in. Sticking to home filtered water in a reusable bottle is best! :)

You could also try those vitamin waters.  I have tasted them and they are really good.  I think that as long as you are exercising moderately and not running marathons, good ol water is the best.  I spin and and use a lot of energy.  I find that rehyfrating on water is fine and I have never had a bad experience due to lack of electrolytes.

I didn't even think about vitamin waters, thanks for brining that up Vicki. Has anyone given glaceau a try?

I haven't tried that one/  Just today at the gym, I saw someone drinking a vitamin drink on the pre-corp.  My sister is addicted to them.  They come in all flavors and have a different vitamin per bottle.  But note that they are not calorie free like water.  I think it is around 100 calories per bottle.

I have not tried any of the vitamin or flavored waters that are out there.  My sister likes them and always tells me to pick one up next time I'm at the store.  I really just have trouble straying from regular water.  I love it and it's almost all that I drink!  I actually am interested in trying Smart Water but I can't see myself buying something like that on a regular basis.  And like Vicki mentioned - I have heard that you must check the calories and sugars in them before you buy. 

Water is the best.  I'll stick to that and it's free.

I have had good luck with ZMA as a supplemt for muscle-building. It helps to boost testosterone which can prmote lean muscle mass development. You can also try taking Tribulus terrestris to boost testosterone. There are several organic brands of tribulus around.

I would suggest ditching the gatorades & other sports drinks in favor of a postworkout shake made with whey protein and a simple carbohydrate like organic oats. You can mix it all up in a blender with either water or organic skim milk- maybe some organic fruit. If you do not like whey protein, you can substitute soy, but I prefer whey myself.

When it comes to muscle recovery and antioxidants, I take a wonderful product called VEMMA, it contains more antioxidants than anything I’ve ever had before and they are in a liquid form they start working sublingually (under the tongue) with a massive absorption rate they are a better value than a tablet. The product contains vitamins, minerals, green tea, aloe vera, and Mangosteen. The product is 100% organic and tastes great. Lactic acid needs to be removed from the muscle tissues to help them recover quicker. A good antioxidant and a good amount of water will keep the system your body already uses to rebuild broken down muscle tissues working at its peak. Another great site for information on health and nutrition is http://www.nutritionhealthinfo.com  As to fighting dehydration water will win out every time in my book. R.A. Morrow www.getyourwhy.com vemma@getyourwhy.com "Health is a choice we need to make daily"

My sister loves Aquafina Alive and while on vacation with her last week I tried it.  It was actually very good and something I could drink more often.  She drinks about a bottle a day!  I checked out the calories and there are only 10 per serving and it did not have a high amount of sugar either.  That might be something else to try! 

Was just reading a health mag and they suggested H2Odwalla and Bossa Nova as new ways to get wet.  Both of these are natural and boast to replenish without the sugarary corn syrup an not many calories.  I like Odwalla bars so maybe I'll giveit a try.  Bonus is that proceeds from Bossa Nova to the rainforest, so not only do you feel good, but you really feel good.

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The problem really is all the calories and sugar. They are better than soda, as they have less sugar, but water is still best.

 If you like carbonation, buy flavored seltzer. No calories, no sugar, but refreshes like soda!

 

 

Michael Porter

Get the Power of the Wave

http://www.teslawav.com

I actually am interested in trying Smart Water but I can't see myself buying something like that on a regular basis.  And like Vicki mentioned - I have heard that you must check the calories and sugars in them before you buy. no win no fee solicitors

I find the black tea extract in Te Ame better than taking sports drinks with caffeine for recovery from workouts.  I'd have to take 40 cups of tea to get the same effect, and it's a natural product.  I just pop a pill in the morning and after my workout and I'm good to go! 

Water is still the best compared to energy drink who has some sort of minerals and many more that can harm your body...so water is the best...make it simple.

I haven't found anything that's equally good as sports drinks (taste-wise) but that hydrates effectively like water does. I just stick to water, and throwing in a sports drink or two every once in a while to get those electrolytes is a good combo.

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I am more on water and Supplement.Soft drinks is just my second choice.:)

I am more on water and Supplement.Soft drinks is just my second choice.:)