Isotonic drinks
Hypertonic Drinks
Everyday Consumption
An isotonic sports drink will normally contain 120-170 calories per 500ml (16.9 fl oz) of fluid. This is a good amount for a participant in moderate intensity activities with a duration of over an hour.
As far as normal everyday consumption is concerned, the calorie amount in isotonic sport drinks is significantly less than the amount you find in other soft drinks or even orange juice which can easily have 230 calories for the same quantity.
The 240-320 calories per 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) can be used to supplement daily carbohydrate intake if you need it. However, the real problem is that hypertonic drinks also have a high concentration of carbohydrates.
When consumed, the catbohydrates in the drink draw water into the intestine. This can cause all sorts of problems, and it is therefore generally un-advisable for regular use.
Energy Boost
Carbohydrates, such as glucose, are the body's preferred source of muscular fuel while exercising. Therefore, replacing the depleted carbohydrates becomes important if you hope to keep exercising for an extended period of time.
They contain a high level of carbohydrates (larger amounts of glucose or sucrose) and therefore provide the muscles with a greater source of fuel.
This type of drinks is not suitable for consumption during an exercise session, because of the high concentration of carbohydrates they contain.
Taken during exercise, hypertonic drinks impair the delivery of fuel to the exercising muscles and interfere with the absorption of the fluids and electrolytes in the body.
Hypertonic drinks are more suitable to supplement daily carbohydrate intake, or for post-exercise consumption to top up muscle glycogen stores.
Carbs Loading
The isotonic drinks do not contain high levels of carbonhydrates and this is not their main use. However, you can still use them if no other option is available.
Low Calorie Content
The various isotonic formulas normally contain about 120-170 calories per 500ml (16.9 fl oz) of fluid. This is a good, balanced amount for moderate intensity activities lasting for over an hour.
All in all, the trade-off between the number of calories you consume with the isotonic drinks and the
Fit for Short Workouts
The drinks are absorbed slightly slower than water, and should be diluted for optimum use during shorter workouts.
The drink may impair the delivery of fuel to the muscles and also the absorption of the fluid and electrolytes necessary for hydration during exercise.
If consumed during exercise, these drinks may encourage dehydration or cause GI (Gastro-Intestinal) intolerance such as cramping, vomiting or bloating due to high particle concentration.
The relatively slow absorption of these hypertonic drinks makes them less suitable for use during exercise, and in the event when a hypertonic drink is used during exercise, it should be consumed in conjunction with Isotonic drinks to replace lost fluids.
Rehydration Efficiency
The isotonic liquids are able to quickly replace fluids lost by sweating and supply a boost of carbohydrates which the body can use as energy.
Because Isotonic drinks usually have a carbohydrates level of between 6 and 8% they are absorbed from the stomach at a rate which is only a little bit slower than water. Therefore, isotonic drinks are good for rehydration.
The high levels of carbohydrates in a drink directly effect the rate of stomach emptying, making it much slower.
Moreover, in order to absorb the hypertonic drink, water is drawn into the intestine to dilute it prior to absorption. This means that this type of drink could cause dehydration if used incorrectly.
Research shows that when the carbohydrates concentration in a beverage increases above 8%, gastric emptying slows. Strenuous exercise by itself may impair gastric emptying, and as exercise intensity increases, the rate of gastric emptying decreases.
Drinking beverages which have a carbohydrates content above 8% while working out, will not only undermine the delivery of fuel to exercising muscles, but may encourage GI intolerance (stomach cramps and vomiting).
The hypertonic drinks are therefore inappropriate for use during exercise, and are recommended for consumption only several hours before or after working out.
Fit for Post Workout
Note, however, that these drinks do not contain the proteins required to supplement the amino acids your body needs immediately following a long workout to rebuild and repair muscle tissue.
These drinks do not contain the proteins required to supplement the amino acids your body needs immediately following a long workout to rebuild and repair muscle tissue.
Long Workouts
These drinks do not get absorbed in the body at the same rate of water, and should be diluted for optimum use.
The isotonic drinks provide a combination of immediate energy from glucose, slightly delayed energy from sucrose and slower releasing energy from maltodextrin, making them ideal for training and competitions lasting longer than 90 minutes.
The hypertonic drinks may contribute to dehydration or cause GI (Gastro-Intestinal) intolerance such as cramping, vomiting or bloating due to high particle concentration.
Nevertheless, they may be suitable for ultra distance events where high levels of energy are required. Hypertonic drinks can help maintain blood sugar levels in long endurance events, but should be consumed in conjunction with Isotonic drinks to replace fluids.
Isotonic drinks
Hypertonic Drinks
Isotonic drinks
based on 2 customer reviews
Feel factor: 2
Great After a Workout - But Not For Everyday
(Score 4/5)
Gatorade is manufactured by Quaker Oats which is a division Pepsi. Heavily marketed and very popular, it is the official drink for the NFL, NBA and MLB and other major sports organization. It is an engineered drink to help rehydrate and replenish fluid during heavy physical activities.
This powdered form is a bit more hassle but a cheaper way of drinking Gatorade. Just make sure you shake it enough. The taste is also very similar to the bottled.
I was introduced to Gatorade about 15 years ago when I played tennis with my cousin in Hawaii. I loved it so much especially the taste that is not so sweet as compared to other drinks. A very hot day and a ice cold Gatorade is just the perfect combination. I really felt refreshed almost instantly that I thought it was short of a miracle product.
Well, not that perfect. Our family dentist warns us not to drink Gatorade on a casual basis. Even worse than sodas when it comes to your the teeth. He told me to Google it. There is also a lot of sugar content.
Great after a heavy workout but not your everyday drink.
Posted on: 2008-08-12
By Nuknuk
Helpful index: 75%
It's Gatorade...
(Score 5/5)
It's gatorade, what more is there to say. It replaces lost electrolytes during exertion for a quicker recovery and better performance during activity. Way better than water alone. I find that the mix recommendation on the packaging is a little bit strong and sweet, so I mix it a little watery. It's gatorade.
Posted on: 2008-04-26
By J. Allen
Helpful index: 66.6666666667%
Hypertonic Drinks
based on 2 customer reviews
Feel factor: -1
Yuck!!!
(Score 2/5)
I used to use this product back in the early 90's.
Let's just say that Twinlab changed the formula.
In a word?
GROSS!!!
The old formula was more granulated, and when you mixed it up, IT ACTUALLY MIXED.
It was orange, it tasted like Tang.
How exactly does one screw up a carb drink?
It's basically sugar, what is so hard?
Well.....this new formula.
They have no business calling it orange.
The water after stirring is pale yellow and it tastes more like lemonade than Tang.
That is of course if you can get it to mix at all.
It's no longer granulated but a very fine powder that gets all goopy at the bottom of the cup.
Does it work?
It's a carb drink, I don't think they screwed it up THAT bad.
Still.....I won't be buying this again.
The taste and mixability are simply an abomination.
Posted on: 2010-03-29
By Brian Nallick
Helpful index: 100%
Pretty good taste, with a bit of a "bite"
(Score 4/5)
My wife and I both like to drink this while doing our P90X workouts. It's pretty good, and mixes pretty well using a Blender Ball cup. Maybe it's just my taste buds, but it has a bit of a tangy bite to the aftertaste. It took a little getting used to, but it wasn't anything that would prevent me from buying/drinking it again. Also tastes good mixed in a Gatorade G2 Fruit Punch (half-strength).
Posted on: 2009-10-08
By J. Soltis
