Pay attention! What you don't know about isotonic or "sports" drinks

By Vannesa Hidalgo - Bootcamp by PFG

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P owerade or Gatorade are some of the most commercial isotonic or sports drinks in Argentina. They are drinks that are sold as rehydrating agents and as an aid for athletes in the loss of carbohydrates and electrolytes when training. However, these drinks are rather counterproductive to the body and then we will tell you why.

For starters, these types of "moisturizers" are more of a mixture of water with sugar, artificial colors and flavors.A quick read on the label of these products could describe - more or less - the following components: 0 mg. iron, 0 g. fiber, 11.70 mg. potassium, 0 mg. of iodine, 41 mg. sodium mg. 0 g. of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, 0 g. protein, 2 mg. of calcium and 6 g. of sugar.

As we can see, sodium and sugar are the two elements with the highest concentration and do not contain any type of vitamins.

We already know the risks of consuming processed sugar, but little do they know that sodium represents a danger to the body as it promotes kidney failure and hypertension , especially for those who have a tendency to develop kidney stones.

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Other labels state that isotonic drinks contain "natural" and "artificial" flavorings , but are actually chemically processed, derived from petroleum, and contain carcinogens. Monosodium glutamate (known by its acronym MSG) is mostly present, a flavor enhancer widely known in the food industry more harmful than alcohol or nicotine.

Do you still want to put this on your body?

MSG is used as an additive, something similar to salt or pepper, to improve the taste of food.It is used especially in Asian cuisine and in processed and frozen foods to make them look fresh.

In short, this component manages to overexcite cells in the body until it damages them, triggering brain, gastrointestinal or cardiovascular problems.

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Monosodium glutamate was created in 1908 in Japan but began to be used in the United States during World War II when American soldiers noticed that the Japanese food rations "were tastier" than theirs. At the time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considered this component to be "safe."Years later, after evaluating its side effects, the FDA reopened the study process on the toxicity of this additive and determined that it continues to be "safe as long as it is consumed at normal levels."

However, today in the medical literature there is a pathology known as "Chinese restaurant syndrome or set of MSG symptoms" that refers to the discomforts manifested by people who consume this harmful additive frequently.

Another toxic component present in isotonic drinks is Blue 1, a synthetic dye linked to asthma, allergies, chromosomal damage, hypotension and attention deficit . It is with this type of ingredient that these "sports" drinks are colored.

So what should we drink when training?

There are numerous alternatives to replace these harmful drinks with natural elements that hydrate and nourish our body. Alkaline water is the first recommendation of Patricia Fitnessgurú because it can also be consumed always, not only in hours of physical training.

In turn, coconut water is the best moisturizer that exists for the body as it contains electrolytes and natural minerals, is a source of vitamin B and has anti - aging, anti-carcinogenic properties and is antithrombotic (prevents the formation of blood clots).

Coconut water is also rich in amino acids, enzymes, and essential acids and is high in potassium and vitamin C. Helps cleanse the kidneys, fights diarrhea, heartburn and stimulates the immune system.

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Another alternative is to prepare your own drink at home with this easy, quick and low-ingredient recipe:

In a liter of water add a teaspoon of baking soda, one of sea or pink salt, two tablespoons of agave and the juice of a lemon, orange or any other fruit of your choice.Mix well, let it rest and that's it!

Bootcamp by PFG article prepared by Vannesa Hidalgo, edited by Natalia Quiroga Sáez and supervised by Patricia Fitnessgurú.