Like all seductive marketing, sports drink ads make us believe that by consuming a bottle of their neon-hued product, we too may end up with gloriously defined abs … just like the fitness model holding a bottle of said product against her perfectly glistening forehead.
Unfortunately, most drinks sold as vitamin- and nutrient-infused necessities for exercise are little more than candy-colored sugar water. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoon of added sugar daily for women; yet the most-popular selling sports drink on the market offers 21 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving; that’s 5 1/4 teaspoons of sugar right there.
Meanwhile, while we are taught that sports drinks are necessary during exercise, expert after expert denies the myth. And in fact, a comprehensive study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), titled “The truth about sports drinks," concluded that sports drinks were good for endurance and elite athletes, and few others.
That said, hydrating is king, and there are some great things to drink, in addition to water, while exercising. The following healthy sports drink alternatives have been associated with improved performance and quicker recovery.
1. Coconut Water
