“A sports drink is a beverage designed to help athletes rehydrate, as well as restore electrolytes, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, which can be depleted after training or competition. Electrolyte replacement promotes proper rehydration, which is important in delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise.”
Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and other minerals vital to proper body function. When you sweat you lose these minerals along with water, which is why it is so important to replace them when rehydrating from prolonged intense exercise. Drinking water alone will not replace these electrolytes and can lead to muscle cramps, increased fatigue and in extreme cases death. In many ways coconut water is superior to the scientifically engineered beverage. Here’s a side by side comparison of the nutritional facts
Essentially, for all it's Ad-men pushing it as a wonder drink, Gatorade comes up short when compared to Coconut Water.
*Note: in my opinion, and from what I have read, along with Coconut water you NEED to drink WATER post-exercise. Though it is primarily water, the main funtion of the water in coconut water - as well as Gatorade - is as a mineral delivery system, as is passed THROUGH the system, not ABSORBED. You still need to replace the WATER that was lost.
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