Scott Olson / Getty Images file

Introduction

By Susan Moores, R.D, contributor

When you’re sweating through an intense workout, you probably reach for a sports drink to quench your thirst. Millions of hardcore athletes and casual fitness fans chug sports beverages to replenish the water, sodium and glucose the body needs to maximize muscle function and speed up post-workout recovery.

For most of us, however, sports drinks are more about convenience than necessity, says Boston dietitian Nancy Clark, author of “Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook.”
“The average person is not working out hard enough to need the rapid refueling these drinks offer,” says Clark, who advises amateur and professional athletes.
Still, if plain old water isn’t appealing, it’s good to know which sports drink is right for you. While there are dozens of exercise drinks available, the ingredients in most of them are pretty similar – water, carbohydrates (sugar), sodium and potassium. For a look at the pros and cons of some popular brands and new ones creating a buzz, click on the Next tab above.