Ok well the answer to my electrolyte question- Which one of these drinks would you class as a proper electrolyte? 1. Powerade 2. Gatorade 3. Staminade 4. Coconut water And the answer is???? …….. None of them :-) The reason being that none of them are Proper Electrolytes in the ratios needed for proper hydration if someone was dehydrated through illness. Dehydration actually kills thousands around the world each day and unfortunately, due to the fact people dont have adequate water, but also lack the medicines (electrolytes) needed to properly hydrate even when they do have water. Even in our western society, people are dehydrated daily and think that water alone will hydrate them. We also have a perception that the lolly waters calling themselves sports drinks are actually electrolytes as well. Powerade, Staminade and Gatorade etc are just overpriced cordials with a tiny bit of extra salt in them. If you look closely, they have no reference to electrolytes anywhere on the packaging anymore. They use to, but, legally they cannot call themselves electrolytes anymore. They are also full of colours and additives that really arent fit for human consumption. Blue and red dyes are not good for you. Coconut water is now being sold and marketed (and overpriced) as an electrolyte when in fact it isnt a proper electrolyte at all. It does have electrolyte properties, but cannot be considered a proper electrolyte. It does however contain sodium, sugars, potassium and other minerals and is so much better for hydrating you than those stupid sports drinks, but, it should not be used for someone who is dehydrated and needing proper electrolytes. Too much of it can also be dehydrating as it does have a diuretic effect and too much of it can cause loose bowels and diarrhoea. Is coconut water better for replenishing lost fluids than those sport drinks? … Damn straight it is :-) A proper electrolyte is in a specific ratio of sodium, glucose and other minerals. But if you were to be caught out somewhere without products such as Hydrolyte (proper electrolyte), you could make your own. You could use 6 teaspoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of salt and 1 litre of water. Some schools use a 1:1 mix of sugar and salt to 1 litre of water. For those that worry about sugar, you cannot have an electrolyte without having sugar (glucose) in them and it is far better to have a tiny bit of sugar, to ensure adequate hydration, than become dehydrated. If you are going travelling it is always advisable to take proper electrolyte solutions with you just incase you need to use them through contracting travellers diarrhoea, vomiting etc. It will help as a base line treatment until medical attention can be undertaken. If you are going to the gym, or doing exercise, dont use those sports drinks at all thinking they are hydrating you properly. The excess sugars will actually dehydrate you. Remember they are really jus overpriced cordials. Use a proper sports electrolyte such as Endura, which is actually an electrolyte with added magnesium and potassium, or other proper electrolyte drinks. You can use this along side your normal water consumption and it is much cheaper than buying those sports drinks. You can also make your own electrolyte drink as someone said before, actually using coconut water, water, fruit and proper ratios of sugars and salt. Hope that helps in dispelling some of the myths around sports drinks and them being electrolytes and what a proper electrolyte actually is.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:06:16 +0000
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