Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:25 pm   Reply with quote      

What do you think of sports drinks like Gatorade and Lucozade Sport? Are they good for you?

Aaron

Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:17 pm   Reply with quote      

I do not think it's healthy to take extra sugar, salt, and other substances by drinking energy/sports drinks including Gatorade and Lucozade Sport. I don't think it's coincidence that US has the biggest market for this type of drinks and has the biggest problem of obesity in the world.

Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:57 pm   Reply with quote      

What about for enhancing performances in things like long distance running, though? Isotonic drinks like these can help, can't they?

Aaron

Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:09 pm   Reply with quote      

I think many of them are effective, and that's why those drinks sell. I just don't think that they are good for you in a long term.

Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:47 pm   Reply with quote      

Because of the calories? Or because of something else?

Aaron

Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:59 pm   Reply with quote      

Primarily because of sugar and salt intake. You should eat carbon hydrate, which will turn into sugar. Salt is used in many foods (for preservation purposes, etc.), so you shouldn't need any extra salt. Sports drinks only give you extra sugar and salt, and you don't need those.

Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:23 pm   Reply with quote      

So do you think it's wrong that these drinks are called 'sports drinks'. That to me and probably others almost has connotations of being healthy.

Aaron

Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:05 pm   Reply with quote      

Too much sugar, IMO. I generally prefer non-sweetened drinks.

Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:36 pm   Reply with quote      

IMO, it's a marketing phrase.

Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:41 pm   Reply with quote      

Sure, but should it be allowed, do you think?

Aaron

Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:16 pm   Reply with quote      

That's a tricky question. I believe in first amendment, free speech. I also believe in free market, but it's not about doing whatever you want to do or lying. I do believe we need to have rules and regulations. Now, with regard to certain food products including sports drinks, I cannot help thinking that some marketing are flat out lie. Should it be allowed??? ... maybe it shouldn't.

Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:54 am   Reply with quote      

I honestly think they're a complete waste of money. It's just advertising catching people. You want an energy drink? Have a glass of milk, or orange juice! Much healthier, and will ACTUALLY give your body something of what it needs!

Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:02 am   Reply with quote      

Our body is designed so that the body will transform food and drinks into energy. Surely, you want to think about what to eat, what to drink and how to prepare, but taking substance that is already transformed into something, like for example, soft drink, isn't exactly the best way to generate our energy.

Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:29 am   Reply with quote      

But what about isotonic drinks for athletes? They replenish the body quicker, don't they?

Aaron

Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:16 pm   Reply with quote      

An isotonic cellular environment occurs when an equal solute concentration exists inside and outside the cell. Molecules flow in and out at an equal rate by osmosis, causing the cell size to stay the same. It will not lose or gain any solutes.

An isotonic solution has an equal amount of dissolved solute in it compared to the things around it. Typically in humans and most other mammals, the isotonic solution is 0.9 weight percent (0.009 g/ml) salt in aqueous solution, this is also known as saline, which is generally administered via an intra-venous drip. It is a medium between hypotonic and hypertonic solutions.

The document was originally published at Wikipedia and the document is licensed under GNU Free Document License. If you'd like to find out more about Isotonic, you might be interested in visiting this page in Wikipedia.

I don't think we can come to conclude that isotonic drinks are all right just because athletes drink. For example, some athletes(?) take oxygen, but it's not the best thing to do in many circumstances.