Why do athletes drink high powered drinks and what do they contain that is beneficial during exercise?

Answer 1

Energy drinks are still a grey field as far as the FDA is concerned, But know this (and you can look on the side of every energy drink on the market). The FDA has not approved the use of energy drinks or the finding of the company making them, nor do they dissapprove. But what makes most energy drinks, energy drinks, is the same thing that is in your morning coffee, Caffeine. A main ingredient in the most popular drinks such as Gatorade and the like, is sodium and electrolytes, which are proven good for you, but like most things, in moderation. Here is the big reason most athletes drink these; they work out from 2 to 6 hours a day, sometimes more, to maintain their fitness level required for their performance, because of this the body looses A LOT of sodium and electrolytes, hence they need to replenish, and in a liquid form is easiest for the body to recuperate. You won't see many athletes consume energy drinks other than Gatorade, powerade, etc. The other side of the energy drink market is what you see in the soda coolers underneath or next to coke and pepsi. Monster, Amp, Reload, and drinks like these, Which have mostly Caffeine like I said earlier, and other vitamins and minerals which the findings of the company producing these say they help you. But again, look on the side of the can and you will see the FDA warning. Unless you work out around 2 or more hours a day, heavily, all you need to drink is plain water, if you want a little taste with your water, get some Crystal Light, it has 0 calories and no harmful chemicals to your workout. Also another note, I am not approving or dissapproving the use of such drinks, i do not drink coffee or any energy drinks though, sometimes i grab a Gatorade or powerade after a strenuous workout. Another study I have come across is an unspecified link between ginseng, which also is in a number of these drinks, has been linked to chronic headaches. Again I do not approve or dissapprove this study.