best sports drink??? (Page 2)

Do I get a free Shamwow with the purchase of this Powerade drink?

Generation U-Can and First Endurance 

Depends on how susceptible you are to marketing. Sports drinks are essentially carbs and electrolytes. The carbs are typically sucrose or maltodextrin. There are others used, but these are the most common. Malto runs about $1-2/pound. Electrolytes are typically sodium chloride - table salt. The amount is very low, probably about $0.05 per pound of maltodextrin. There are other electrolytes in  sports drinks, but the amount is very low and if you eat food (as in, virtually any food) you replace them without needing supplements. Then there is some flavoring mixed in.

Protein is added to some 'high endurance' sports drinks. Studies have shown that a little protein for long efforts can be marginally helpful but I don't know if this has been backed up with multiple non-industry-sponsored studies. I've tried it, but never noticed a difference. It has the potential to upset your stomach.

So, if you believe the marketing, the best sports drink is the one who convinces you they are the best. When I found out the info I've just told you, I decided the best sports drink is the one I can make in my kitchen for a few cents per serving.

As I started to watch my weight more and realized I didn't actually need the extra calories for my training, I skipped the sports drinks and haven't missed them at all. Turns out that my blaming nutrition for low energy, cramps, etc. was just a poor excuse, not a real issue. My problem was improper conditioning - no matter how many calories, sports drinks, energy drinks, and power bars you eat, you can't finish a marathon on 5 miles a week! I sold off the rest of my 50 lb bag of malto to people who still felt they needed it. Now water is my drink of choice.

(I still take in nutrition for long efforts - on my 60 mile ride this morning, I had 2 apples. For a 15 mile run, I'll take a gel but may not eat it. Everything else is regular food before and after the workout).

Mainly, water for me. But training and racing in the tropics, I do have to use electrolyte drinks for longer runs/rides/races etc. (over an hour).  The only one I buy is Nuun--tablets are more portable, which means I can "smuggle" it in bulk from the US or Singapore. The citrus flavors are light and not too sweet. All the other major brands taste disgustingly sweet to me. But if they are served during a race I manage--I grab a cup of water and one of whatever sports drink is served, and throw them back in alternation so I don't gag. After 30+ years of running, I'm good at aid station gymnastics!