Sports drinks—which contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes and flavoring—are intended to replace water and electrolytes lost through sweating during exercise. Sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, but in most cases they are unnecessary off the sports field or in the school lunchroom.
Brands vary, but most sports drinks promise electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Your body loses them when you engage in high-intensity exercise, especially for longer than an hour.
They also offer energy-boosting carbohydrates, which typically come from ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and sucrose. A single 12-ounce bottle might have 21 grams of sugar. It’s less than a high-sugar soda, which could have 39 grams, but way more than water.
Here's another problem. Many of these drinks have a high citric acid content. This flavor booster can extend the shelf life, which is good. But it can also strip the enamel from your teeth and make them more sensitive as well as more prone to cavities and decay.
Consuming sports drinks and other energy products doesn’t automatically put you on the direct path to teeth destruction. Several other factors play a role, like your overall dental hygiene, your lifestyle, your saliva production, and your genes. See your general dentist in Evansville, IN for regular check ups.
Water is and always will be the best drink for staying hydrated. If you are not engaged in prolonged physical activity, then skip the sports drinks and soda. Your teeth will thank you!
Author
A Woman's Touch Dentistry
