SPORTS DRINKS VS. WATER

Image by jalexartis via Flickr

While heavily advertised, sport drinks are not always necessary for active adults. A moderate amount of plain water does the trick during most exercise.

You may find sports drinks useful if you engage in high-intensity endurance events lasting more than an hour.

Examples include long hikes, long-distance bike rides, marathons, or playing sports in the summer heat. In these cases, you may find that some drinks help prevent dehydration and replace needed nutrients.