Apple Juice vs. Gatorade

If it works for you, that's great, but may I make a couple of points? First, it's not that both drinks contain carbs or sodium or potassium, etc., that's important. A high-quality sports drink is formulated to provide nutrients and minerals in the proper ratio to each other. Apple juice is not. Apple juice contains 100% more sugar than Gatorade. It doesn't matter if it's "natural" - sugar is sugar. Now I'm no fan of Gatorade, but I do know that sugar will lead to an insulin spike, which might make you feel good for awhile, but sooner or later it wears off. If you're drinking apple juice prior to, during or after a short workout, that might be OK, but there's probably a good reason you won't see professional endurance athletes relying on it for long training sessions or events. Sometimes there's a tendency for us to want to re-invent the wheel with our own methods and concoctions. Personally I'm wary of that. I try to adopt the proven strategies of those  who have succeeded before me. In any case, good luck to you.

Sugar (simple carbohydrate) is the most efficience source of energy.  In a single serving, apple juice has more sugar than gatorade.  Of course it gives you better performance.  I always have a glass of fruit juice (any type) before my morning work out. 

So do triathlons, but people keep on doing 'em!