If you work and play hard, you want to find the right sports drinks to help boost your hydration and energy. Sports drinks are some of the most popular options on the market. These beverages can help replenish electrolytes, water, and energy lost during those demanding physical activities. Many of these drinks contain a source of carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, all of which can assist with restoring glycogen, delay fatigue, and combat dehydration.
Why Sports Drinks for Hydration and Energy?
The American College of Sports Medicine has made a recommendation that anyone partaking in vigorous exercise for more than one hour should drink carbohydrate-based sports beverages, especially if you are heavily sweating. When choosing a sports drink to help replenish those electrolytes, finding a liquid that has at least 300 milligrams of potassium and 80 milligrams of sodium is crucial.
There are many sport drink options in the current marketplace. Some of them are available in ready-to-drink beverages or come in powder and tables that may be mixed with water. When you want to choose a sports drink, it is critical to consider your current sugar, electrolytes, and calorie levels so that you can meet your hydration requirements.
Considerations for a Sport Drink
Before choosing a sports drink, you will need to consider a few factors.
Form
Sports drinks come in several forms, including powders, tablets, and ready-to-drink beverages. If you want grab-and-go options, you can find a ready-to-drink beverage at any convenience or grocery store. A tablet or powder may be better for those who frequently travel since you can mix these formulas with water.
Electrolytes
After a heavy workout with excessive sweat, your body will lose electrolytes and fluids. With a sports drink, you can boost your electrolytes and combat any signs of dehydration. These drinks contain sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Many of these drinks will help your body replenish mineral losses and improve the absorption of fluid.
Calories
After engaging in strenuous sports or endurance activities, you will want a sports drink high in calories. You want to choose a sports drink that meets your caloric expenditure, activity levels, and energy needs. For example, you want to choose a sports drink that is higher in calories if you are training for a long marathon. However, for those trying to lose weight, you want to find a solution that replenishes electrolytes but does not add more calories to your body.
Sugar
Most sports drinks will contain sugar. Sugar is needed to help replace carbohydrates lost during strenuous exercise. For those who want to monitor their sugar intake, select a sugar-free option. Some powders and tablets are low in sugar. Remember that a few of those sugar-free sports drinks will have artificial sweeteners.
With all these factors, here are the top 10 sports drinks to replenish your energy and boost hydration.
Are you searching for the best source to boost your hydration and replenish energy? At Breinfuel, we make drinks that provide you with those needed essentials to promote a healthy lifestyle!
#1 - Breinfuel
When you need hydration and energy, Breinfuel is one of the most effective sports drinks on the market. This formula is made from all-natural caffeine sources, with every bottle containing 360 mg of caffeine sourced from green tea and coffee beans. Along with the caffeine, green tea extract is a source of nootropic L-theanine, which can help to reduce anxiety and stress. Green tea extract is an excellent way to improve your mental clarity and focus. There are many reasons to consume Breinfuel after those high-energy workouts. Breinfuel’s sports drinks also include MCT oil derived from collagen, coconut, and D-ribose for that quick-release sugar. These sports drinks come in a wide range of flavors, including citrus, mixed berry, and peach mango. With this all-natural energy drink, you can quickly hydrate and get that energy to stay productive and focused.
Related: 5 Best Healthy Energy Drinks Ranked for 2022
#2 - NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drink
This sports drink contains naturally occurring electrolytes from coconut water. For those who want an organic sports drink, NOOMA provides the necessary nutrition to boost your energy. This plant-based sports drink is non-GMO, USDA-certified organic, and vegan friendly. NOOMA does not contain any added sugar, and the coconut water adds potassium, while the natural sea salt gives that boost of sodium, helping to replenish lost fluids after exercise. Organic stevia is used to provide the drink with a bit of touch of sweetness, which is an alternative to those overly sugar-laden sports drinks. NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drink has several flavors, including watermelon, lemonade, chocolate mint, blueberry peach, mango, and lime.
#3 - Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets
Nuun Sport is a good choice for those who want an on-the-go option. This sports drink counts five different electrolytes. Plus, this drink is perfect for those who want a no- or low-sugar option. Nuun Sports electrolytes tables have only 1 gram of sugar. The drink is available in a convenient tablet that provides an electrolyte boost without packing many carbs or calories. These tables can be mixed with water to create a hydrating beverage with various flavors, such as citrus fruit, orange, lemon line, and tri-berry. The flavors are sweetened by stevia. This drink contains a balance of essential minerals and vitamins. Along with that, this drink is gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and kosher.
#4 - Gatorade Thirst Quencher
When many people think about sports drinks, they often turn to Gatorade. This brand has been around for years. Created in 1965 by a football coach at the University of Florida, Gatorade is a thirst-quenching drink designed to help athletes replenish and recover after a challenging workout, especially in high heat and humidity. Gatorade has a simple formula, focusing on carbohydrates and electrolyte bases. Many people, from professional athletes to active adults, choose to drink Gatorade after a tough workout.
Gatorade is widely available and a budget-friendly basic option. Unfortunately, Gatorade is not ideal for those who want to watch their sugar intake. However, this sports drink can be helpful for those who need a quick source of digestible carbs. Sugar intake is a concern for many people. Some people mix a few tablespoons of Gatorade with cold water, which can help those who are watching their sugar consumption. Gatorade is available in several flavors, including fruit punch, orange, and lemon-lime.
#5 - Propel Flavored Electrolyte Water
Back in 2000, Propel was introduced to the American marketplace. This brand comes in powder packs, immune support supplements, and flavored electrolyte water. The original Propel drink was discontinued in 2011. The current formula has no sugars but contains sodium making it a top choice for a hydration drink after a challenging workout. Propel has a mix of vitamins B, C, and E.
Additionally, Propel contains more sodium and potassium than an average glass of water. This flavored blend has several flavors, including lemon, peach, grape, and watermelon. Propel can be purchased at many retail locations, and this sports drink is an affordable option for those who want to watch their budgets.
#6 - Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder
Choose Ultima if you want something that goes further than those traditional bottled drinks. All you need is some water and stir in the formula. This powder is an excellent source of essential electrolytes, including potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium phosphate, and chloride. With Ultima, there are no artificial flavors contained in these powdered drinks. Ultima is an excellent option if you want a zero-calories, zero-carbohydrate, and sugar-free drink.
This sports drink gets its sweetness from stevia and natural fruit flavors. You can grab the powder in grape, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, and orange. These drinks are taste refreshers that are not overly sweet. Unlike other chalky powders, Ultima mixes well and dissolves into a smooth but hydrating drink. This sports drink is the perfect option for those with paleo, keto, vegan, and gluten-free lifestyles. Also, it is a great choice for those who may have sensitivity to caffeine.
Related: 5 Best Energy Drinks for Focus & Mental Performance
#7 - Nuun Sport + Caffeine
Nuun Sport + Caffeine is an excellent way for alternative and active adults to get their hydration and energy in a portable formula. Every tube contains 10 tables that can be mixed with water to create a thirst-quenching, effervescent beverage that releases those lost electrolytes. This sports drink only has 15 calories and 1 gram of sugar. This drink has minimal sugar, and it contains no artificial flavorings. Additionally, every tablet contains 40 milligrams of caffeine, helping to put a little pep in your step. Caffeine is known to boost athletic performance when consumed at the proper levels. Nuun Sport + Caffeine tablets are a good option for those who want a performance boost while counting to stay hydrated. This formula has several flavors: wild berry, fresh lime, mango orange, and cherry limeade.
Related: 10 Best Ways to Boost Energy Naturally
#8 - Harmless Harvest Coconut Water
When you want a naturally occurring source of energy, choose Harmless Harvest. This drink's formula is one of the most natural, electrolyte-filled, organic drinks on the market. Harmless Harvest’s drink is made from coconut water sourced from young coconut in Thailand. This thirst-quenching drink contains various nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. The drink is the ideal way to restore electrolyte balance and rehydrate after strenuous activity. While this drink is one of the most expensive options on the market, it might be only one of the world’s natural sports drinks. Harmless Harvest is made from USDA-certified coconut water, which has been 100% fair trade certified.
#9 - Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier
If you want a celebrity-backed sports drink, LIquid IV may be your beverage. This company says they are sustainable, offering the best ingredients for its energy drinks. Liquid IV does get high reviews from its past clients. This artificial ingredient-free and non-GMO drink contains five essential vitamins, such as B3, 5, 6, and 12, and vitamin C. Also, Liquid IV has three times the electrolytes of other sports drinks. Liquid IV is available in pina colada, strawberry, lemon-lime, watermelon, acai berry, apple pie, passion fruit, and guava flavors. This sports drink will only ship to locations in the United States.
#10 - Hi-Lyte
Hi-Lyte is another famous brand that has been featured in many popular lifestyle and health magazines. This sports drink can help aid in recovery and boost your energy. Along with that, this beverage provides strong immune support and recovery from hangovers. While many people grab this drink after a workout, this is a good choice for those who may have consumed too much alcohol. Hi-Lyte’s Concentrate is a powder that contains magnesium, sodium, chloride, trace minerals, zinc, and potassium. The drink does not contain artificial ingredients, fillers, or sugars. Additionally, this formula is non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free.
What Is the Best Sports Drink for You?
When it comes time to choose the best sports drink, there are many things to take into consideration. You need to think about what you want for your body. Do you want an organic choice or one that is sugar-free?
Also, these sports drinks are available in many forms. You can use a powder or tablet that you can easily mix with water. If you are looking for no mess, bottled options could better fit your lifestyle.
Sports drinks come in many flavors. Some of these drinks contain natural fruit flavoring, or their flavors are derived from other ingredients. Selecting the right one can help boost your hydration and replenish that energy, especially after a demanding physical workout.
Do you want to find the best sports drinks for your nutritional needs? At Breinfuel, our drinks are the perfect blend of natural caffeine, fuel support, and powerful antioxidants to keep you focused throughout the day. Take a look at our selection of products!