Can a sports drink with protein improve your workout?
I saw a poster at the gym today for a new fitness drink called Accelerade. It's the latest in a growing brigade (remember when there was only Gatorade?!) of drinks that are supposed enhance athletic performance with electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, various performance-enhancing herbs, and fuel for your muscles (read: sugar). Accelerade's new twist is to add whey powder in a ratio of 4 parts carbohydrate to 1 part protein, which is supposed to "start the rebuilding process of muscles damaged during exercise." The result is less muscle soreness and quicker recovery. Sounds good, but is the product going to improve your work-outs (or your body)?
If you run or do other endurance exercise for an hour or more at a stretch, or if you are beating up your muscles with a heavy-duty weight-lifting routine, these sorts of drinks might actually give you a performance edge. Personally, I don't work out long or hard enough to require additional sugar, salt, or protein to keep functioning. I usually run a couple of miles and do about 20 minutes of strength-training and water works just fine. Nonetheless, I regularly see women chugging 20-ounce bottles of gatorade during their 30-minute stint on the Stairmaster. Calories burned? 177. Calories consumed? 160.
 older posts |
home | newer posts  |
| Ask Monica: Aren't all trans fats man-made? | | Nutrition Data Blog | | Can certain foods help you quit smoking? |
Posted by: Rozia | Mar 29, 2009 7:43:05 AM
Thanks again for sharing all your entry! I agree with them all!
Regard
http://www.red23.co.uk/
Posted by: Kevin | Jul 26, 2008 6:11:01 PM
I recently started training with PureSport Workout and Recovery and I have noticed a huge difference from just drinking water afterwards. I read that Michael Phelps trains with PureSport so I ordered some online - they say to drink the recovery drink within 15 mins of exercise so I started doing it right after my swim. It reduces soreness, helps muscles recover faster, and reduces cortisol release)which puts fat around the tummy). The secret is the carb to protein ration and nutrient timing. http://www.puresport.us
Posted by: jpatti | Mar 12, 2008 10:30:29 AM
I mix up my own sports drink: Crystal Light made half-strength with calcium ascorbate powder and lite salt (potassium chloride and sodium chloride) with well water (for additional minerals).
I need there to be no sugar in my drink if I'm using it for hydration and electrolytes; I carry Sweetarts (which are nearly pure glucose) in case I need sugar specifically; but I've largely learned to dose my insulin lower the meal before I work out so I have blood glucose to burn.
Posted by: bostjan | Jul 30, 2007 3:19:21 PM
what about training that last 3-4hours?
drinking just water won't work for me..
Posted by: JL Hebert | Jul 30, 2007 9:24:05 AM
What!? Didn't anyone read Monica's analysis? I think beer would be good too :-) I've had Wonderful results with beer... Keep trying Monica. Eventually it might sink in...
Posted by: Kurtis | Jul 18, 2007 5:38:20 PM
Drinking a post or pre workout drink with protein is genius. What is also needed are amino acids. I am a college athlete and have found a great drink that honestly makes me feel ten times better the next day. The workout pain is completely gone im not kidding. Its called FLUID and it really is my miracle drink. LiveFluid.com. Check it out if protein in a drink sounds strange there is a great explanation and science to back it up.
Posted by: John | Jul 15, 2007 12:29:10 AM
I usually drink water before & after workouts and a sports drink during workouts. I started drinking Accelerade last month after getting a buy one get one free coupon and I like what it does for me a lot. I don't get fatigued like I use to and can keep up a good workout pace. The taste was different and a little hard to get use to because it gets the protein from milk but it's way better than the results you get form the old sports drinks.
Posted by: Keith Shepard | Jul 13, 2007 5:12:33 PM
My strength training lasts about 45 minute, so I usually add one scoop of a Twinlab Whey Protein mix to 8-oz of water after my work out. I've been doing so for abut 7 years now. It does add 140 calories back on, but it refreshes me.
I also run 3 miles every other day and after I finish I drink only water. I have been running for the past 20 years and I've always refueled with water afterward. I left vitamins and minerals to my meals (sans the extra protein in the mix after weight training).
/Keith
