Next time you go to the grocery store, I would like you to stop and look at the isle that is labeled “Sports Drinks”. In my town, Gatorade gets 50% or more of the shelf space under the sports drinks label. IT IS NOT A SPORTS DRINK!! It’s a drink that has been massively sweetened with “crap” and it is doing nothing for you. Have you ever looked at the ingredients in Gatorade? The first three ingredients on the bottle state: water, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar. I obviously will have issues with item number two. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is NOT something that you need to be drinking ever- let alone when your working out. (On the Gatorade website, I can NOT find the ingredients listed anywhere- go to the store and look at the bottle). In a recent issue of Endurance News (January 2008), the title article is “High Fructose Corn Syrup is associated with obesity, no myths about it!” by Bill Misner, Ph.D.

“HFCS now represents greater than 40% of caloric sweeteners added to foods and beverages and is the sole caloric sweetener in soft drinks in the United States…..The increased use of HFCS in the United States mirrors the rapid increase in obesity.” (pg.7)

“The digestion, absorption, and metabolism of fructose differ from those of glucose (italics ours). Hepatic metabolism of fructose favors de novo lipogensis. In addition, unlike glucose, fructose does not stimulate insulin secretion or enhance leptin production…”

Basically, your body does not do well with HFCS and it has been shown to cause increased energy and weight gain. Drinking something that has been sweetened with HFCS leads the body to want to drink more..which leads to overconsumption.

So, what should you be drinking at the gym? WATER or ELECTROLYTE ENHANCED WATER!! If you’re planning on running a marathon or your exercise is going to exceed 1 hour, then it’s time to read up on the best possible sources to replace what your losing during exercise. For more information, go to Hammer Nutrition.