Powerade (drink): benefits and harms, composition

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

After heavy prolonged physical activity, the body needs to restore the balance of minerals and s alts. Powerade is a drink that replenishes the amount of nutrients lost during excessive sweating. Are there any contraindications to taking an isotonic drink? What is included in its composition? Reviews on the use of Powerade, as well as information about the benefits and harms of the drink are given below.

Composition and types of drink

Powerade sports drink contains sugar and minerals. Most isotonics are water, sucrose and fructose, complex and simple carbohydrates. The calorie content of the drink is 16 kcal per 100 g.

In addition, the drink contains:

• sodium;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• magnesium.

Depending on the type of isotonic, the composition may vary. In Russia, drinks with lemon, orange, and cherry are produced. There are such names of the Powerade drink:

• "Lemon-lime".
• Orange.
• Ice Storm.
• Cherry.
• "Snowstorm".

Powerade is a drink formulated to help you recover quickly after a hard workout. Isotonic, enriched with minerals, is used by many professional athletes and bodybuilders. However, nutritionists are still debating about the harm and benefits of the drink.

Powerade Blue Drink Benefits

The large amount of electrolytes contained in the drink prevents the formation of s alt deficiency and the appearance of weakness in the body. Lack of minerals can lead to poor functioning of the heart, brain, and muscles. Powerade is a drink that saturates the cells of the body with vital substances.

S alts retain moisture, preventing it from entering the bladder, and also cause thirst. If during a break between workouts an athlete drowns out his thirst with clean water, then it will soon be quickly excreted from the body. At the same time, sodium, potassium and magnesium are excreted with it. Therefore, it is recommended to drink a small amount of isotonic at the time of the onset of thirst and only then drink clean water.

The sugars contained in isotonics are a source of energy, indispensable during exhausting workouts. Fast carbohydrates are easily absorbed by the body and converted into glucose.

Harm isotonics

Preservatives and dyes, as well as flavor enhancers that may be contained in the drink, do not bring any benefit to the body. Powerade is low in chemicals, yet dietitians do not recommend daily use.

Powerade is a high glycemic drink becauseits use without constant physical activity can cause weight gain.

Contraindications

Despite the absence of alcohol in the drink, it is forbidden to take it to children. It is not recommended to use isotonic for people with a history of the following diseases:

• food allergy;
• diabetes mellitus of all types;
• phenylketonuria.

Powerade is a drink that is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation, as it can provoke an allergic reaction in the baby. Also, isotonic is contraindicated for people suffering from carbohydrate metabolism disorders.

When using an isotonic drink, it is worth remembering that it contains citric acid s alts that destroy tooth enamel. To protect your teeth from the negative effects of the components of the drink, it is better to drink it through a special straw.

Powerade drink: application reviews

Reviews about the use of the drink are both positive and negative. Many athletes use the drink as an aid to intense workouts.

Positive consumer feedback about isotonics:

• Powerade - a drink that allows you to quickly recover during a workout;
• after taking isotonic you feel a surge of strength and energy;
• thanks to the drink, any load is transferred easily, without feeling tired.

Negative reviews about the drink are mostly associated with ignorance of somepeople about the action of isotonic. Some consumers consider Powerade to be a heart-boosting, body-toning energy drink.

Negative feedback on the action of isotonic:

• Powerade doesn't quench thirst well;
• after drinking the drink, an unpleasant aftertaste remains in the mouth;
• due to frequent use of isotonics, body weight increased;
• had an allergic reaction after drinking 1 bottle of drink;
• isotonic does not contribute to a surge of strength;
• with constant intake of the drink, performance decreased.

Which is better - pure water or isotonic?

Compared to an isotonic drink, ordinary water loses significantly. Experts recommend combining the use of pure water with isotonic water - this increases the effectiveness of training. However, such a system is only suitable for athletes, while people with moderate or low physical activity are advised to drink pure water acidified with lemon.

Not a single isotonic drink produced on an industrial scale is able to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, as ordinary purified water does. Therefore, water cannot be completely replaced by taking isotonics.

How to drink Powerade

In order to avoid overload during exercise, the body requires a constant supply of fluid. Its amount is equal to the lost moisture after sports. To calculate the exact volume of the drink, it is necessary to weigh yourself before and after exercise. Differencebetween the indicators is the amount of missing fluid.

It is worth remembering that Powerade is intended only for people who are actively involved in sports. It will not bring harm if you drink it without training, however, the energy that enters the body with the drink will not be distributed. This will lead to weight gain.

It is important that the isotonic intake is carried out not after the end of the workout, but during it. That is, in those intervals that are reserved for a short rest. For example, between runs, squats, strength exercises or exercise machines.

During the next break, you need to drink clean water, and then again isotonic. So it will be easier for the body to maintain a normal water-s alt balance and avoid overload associated with a lack of minerals.