PowerBlogs: Jasmine Doobay

There are a ton of sports drinks out there – but are any of them needed?

Fitness experts say the need for sports drinks depends on the intensity and duration of your workout.

Water is good enough for shorter sessions, but for exercise lasting more than 60 minutes, a sports drink is recommended.

Some believe sports drinks can be useful for shorter workouts, too. If you’ve had a good high-carbohydrate meal three to four hours before your workout, you probably don’t need a sports drink.

But if you haven’t eaten for a while, a sports drink will provide a little extra energy, helping you get more out of yourself.

There are two key ingredients in a good sports drink – carbohydrates, which provides fuel for working muscles – and sodium, which helps to maintain fluid balance.

And, research also supports the practice of consuming protein after exercise to promote muscle recovery. Amazingly, chocolate milk seems to be effective in helping your muscles recover.