Are Sport Drinks Healthy?

Thank You by Cari Jones

The most high profile of the sport drinks, Gatorade brand, is consumed at every major league sporting event and has become a staple for sports enthusiasts everywhere. The main functions of the sport drink according to a study conducted at Vanderbilt University are to encourage the following: 1. rapid fluid absorption 2.rapid re hydration 3.transmission of energy to working muscles 4.drinking more fluids

This is achieved, by using a mixture of water, sugar(carbohydrates) salt(electrolytes) and a variety of flavorings. This precisely measured mixture is designed to help us avoid problems related to extreme physical exertion from working and playing hard like, the loss of fluids and salts, overheating, and depleting energy.

The following is from a Gatorade brand label:

serving size: 8fl oz; calories 50; total fat 0g; sodium 110mg; potassium 20mg; total carb 14g; sugars 14g; protein 0g;

The ingredient labels vary according to flavor, but the main ingredients are sodium, sucrose, glucose fructose and water. For long distance running,biking and other activities that require an extended period of physical endurance, the sport drinks were shown to provided a better benefit than plain water, due to being fortified,plus having great taste and potability.In addition, these popular drinks were not shown to cause any gastro-intestinal problems.

Make sure to have plenty of fluids for your next outing, including fresh water and your favorite sport drink. If youre on a budget like most, you may want to try the following mixture. You will need to measure your ingredients precisely.*Do not use a salt substitute without first consulting your physician. Do not serve to children under the age of twelve.You will need:

1 quart water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon table salt or *salt substitute

3-4 tablespoons sugar

Kite Surfing Fastest Growing Water Sport

Thank You by Thomas Cutler

Kite Surfing is the fastest growing water sport in the world. It is not wind surfing, it is not wakeboarding, it is not surfing; it is not kite flying. It is the fusion of these disciplines with other influences to create the wildest new water sport for years. Popularized by French and Hawaiian stars in early 1999, The UK scene now has approximately 7,000 kite surfers. The U.S. has more than five times the number of kite surfers.

This dramatic interest in the athletically demanding sport has given AKSA founders encouragement about the value of their newly founded organization. Logan Long, co-founder of the association was not surprised by the results; "It's just simply the biggest adrenaline rush available. The combination of air, water, land, wind power, physical strength and balance the force of nature are the qualities that attract Kite Surfers."

American Kite Surfing Association is the leading organization for kite surfers in North America. Founded in 2006 by two extreme sport enthusiasts, membership is anticipated to exceed 30,000 before the end of the year. The purpose of the enterprise is to bring heightened awareness to this fast-growing, dynamic, and fun sport. A vast array of information, products, and techniques are available to the visitors of the AKSA website, www.kite-surfingusa.com. After more than a decade of popularity through Europe and Australia, active North American extreme sport athletes are recognizing the maximum adrenaline rush through kite surfing. According to Cathi Long, co-founder of AKSA, "The exhilaration of hang time in kite surfing is unbeatable...kite surfers are simply the sexiest athletes." AKSA will select 50 leading industry product manufacturers to highlight and profile throughout an extensive national media outreach campaign.