Diet and Exercise Myth #21: Sports drinks rehydrate you faster than water

This is another myth perpetrated by global corporations through their clever advertising and marketing campaigns.

At the core of this myth is a misunderstanding of the difference between hydration and electrolyte balance. That clever advertising and marketing will often conflate the two.

The reality is that water is superior for hydration, and is obviously going to be a lot cheaper than sports drinks.

Most sports drinks, on the other hand, will definitely contain more electrolytes than water - which has none. Many people also find sports drinks to be more palatable than plain water, which may help them to drink enough if they would otherwise struggle to do so.

The importance of electrolyte balance is not in itself a myth, and sports drinks have their place there. Sweating and exercising for extended durations can cause depletion of chemicals like sodium, potassium and magnesium. These are important for power production and endurance.

But when thinking about electrolytes, be aware that most sports drinks also contain almost the same amount of sugar as soft drinks. Some carbohydrate intake may be desirable, but make sure to know how much you’re getting.

In summary, choose your sports drink carefully if you’re after electrolytes, and keep in mind that if you’re not an athlete, you don’t need sports drinks at all.  If your focus is pure hydration, just stick with good old plain water – it’s usually the healthiest choice.