isotronic drinks

[tali1]

Isotronic drinks -footballers guzzle these at end of a match -do they really give a energy boost -or just a marketing gimmick?
Any sporty types here that use them? I assume they are better than taking red bull-type drinks ?

[alman]

replace salts etc. you lose in sweat aswell as water-in extreme cases would stop overdosing on water, like happens in some cases of ecstasy deaths. Also are rammed full of sugar so do provide a fair bit of energy.

[Wadeski]

footballers also have a different (much more sugary) formula of Lucozade Sport that isnt available in the shops - because it would be ridiculously unhealthy for couch/sunday sportsmen.

tbh you CAN make your own but they taste fkign horrible homemade.

on the other hand, a lot of athletes actually let Coke go flat, then drink that. lots of sugar, cheap, does the job.

[swansea v6]

Hypotonic drinks: Have a lower persentage of essential salts/carbs than our blood. Ideal for replenishing fluids, not so good for energy levels.

Isotonic: More or less the same typical composition, i.e. salts and carbs as our blood levels. Ideal compromise for replenishing fluid levels and some energy replacement.

Hypertonic: These driks contain a lot more essential salts/carbs than our blood levels and so are ideal for replenishing energy levels quickly, but not so good for fluid levels.

That quickly explains the different drinks, pro sportsmen/women will probably have a specially made hypertonic drink handy plus plain water, so they have a choice between whether to up their flud levels quickly, or to have a quick easily absorbable energy source.

[HiRich]

swansea v6 said:

...so they have a choice between whether to up their flud levels quickly, or to have a quick easily absorbable energy source.

That's one point often forgotten. The slight addition of salts & carbohydrates gives a better absorption rate over plain water, so the liquid gets into your bloodstream rather than sloshing around your belly. Not particularly useful for the normal punter, more so if you're running a marathon or chucking it into Eau Rouge for the sixtieth time.