This is Optimal Health Daily, episode 2483.

Is that sports drink really necessary for your workouts?

By Nikki Bezant of Les Mills.com,

and I'm Dr. Neil Malik, reading you some of the most popular health and fitness blogs out there,

with permission from the websites, of course.

And with that, let's get right to it as we optimize your life.

Is that sports drink really necessary for your workouts? By Nikki Bezant of Les Mills.com.

When it comes to choosing something to quench our thirst, the choices these days go far beyond the simple water

or juice. Check the fridge at your local cafe, and you'll likely find iced tea, kombucha,

coconut water, energy drinks, vitamin water, the list goes on. Choosing what to drink during and

after a workout can be tricky too.

Something we may often reach for is a sports drink.

It's for sport.

We tell ourselves it must be what we need, right?

Sports drinks are sophisticated products into which drink companies pour a great deal of research, development, and dollars.

It's a high-tech and lucrative business. One 2015 report found 60% of U.S. adults drink sports drinks, whether they're exercising

or not. Sports drinks are formulated for athletes engaged in long, high-intensity training

and sports sessions to allow them to quickly

rehydrate and recover. When athletes are exercising intensely for an hour or more, and sweating

a lot, rehydration is really important. Sports drinks have been shown to delay fatigue and

improve exercise performance in these circumstances. The carbohydrate in the form

of sugar in these drinks is a quick source of energy and helps the gut absorb water. Electrolites such

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