Power drinks for hydration

Traditional sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade include water, salt, and sugars in proportions that help the body absorb fluids and salts lost in sweat and in the breath while exercising. The sugars not only help the body take in the water, but also provide fuel for muscles that need sugars to keep performing well during long walks, runs, or bikes. A small amount of salt helps protect the body from hyponatremia, (also known as water intoxication), which can happen if you drink a large amount of water without any salt.

Energy drinks are formulated to deliver caffeine and other stimulants, such as guarana or ginseng, to give the drinker a rush of energy. They are not designed to replace lost fluids during exercise. Some come in small cans that deliver a large amount of caffeine in a small amount of fluid. Many are carbonated, which can lead exercisers to experience burping, nausea and a bloated feeling.
While energy drinks do provide short-term energy to the body, they do not provide long-term, usable energy. The caffeine and additives found in energy drinks cause a spike in blood sugar levels and provide short-term energy to the body. This causes the inevitable "crash" in energy after the sugar levels wear down. Additionally, since caffeine is a diuretic, it causes fluid loss.
This can be potentially dangerous when other stimulants, such as ginseng, are added to the drink - these stimulants can enhance the effects of caffeine. Other ingredients, such as guarana, contain extra caffeine on top of the original sugar levels.
The high sugar concentrations in energy drinks slow fluid absorption into the blood system, increasing the probability of dehydration. When a high level of sugar is in the blood stream, the body is not able to provide fluid to cells. This is a precursor to dehydration because when you consume an energy drink, there is not enough fluid in the body to dilute the high concentration of sugar in that beverage.

H2O - The Original Energy Drink
The human body is anywhere from 55 percent to 78 percent water, depending on body size. To function properly and maintain optimum health, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration. The precise amount needed by any one person depends on level of activity and climate factors like temperature and humidity. However, most healthcare professionals feel that six to seven glasses of water (approximately two liters) daily is the minimum amount of water the human body needs to maintain proper hydration.

Here are four easy ways to integrate more water into your diet:
Always carry a water bottle
If plain water doesn't appeal to you, purchase one of the many water mix-insavailable on the market like Crystal Light or Kellogs.
Use water in your cooking
Eat fruits and vegetables with a high water content
So put down that energy drink and grab a glass of all-natural H2O.