When you're running, your body loses electrolytes through sweat. Since electrolytes help your body retain fluids and may prevent muscle cramps, it's important that you replace them with sports drinks when you run for longer than 90 minutes. Here are some of the best sports drinks for runners:
Gatorade Endurance
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Gatorade Endurance is different from regular Gatorade because it's designed for endurance athletes, who need more electrolyte replacement. It comes in a lemon-lime flavor and contains twice the amount of sodium as regular Gatorade. Marathon runners will find Gatorade Endurance on the courses of many big city marathons, so it's good for marathoners-in-training to practice drinking it during their long runs.
Nuun Tablets
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Nuun hydration tablets are specially formulated so that they're absorbed by your body quickly, restoring your water and electrolyte balance quickly and efficiently. Although they're loaded with electrolytes, Nuun tablets don't contain any carbs, making them a good option for people who can't tolerate sugary sports drinks. Nuun tablets are portable and feature a self-dissolving technology, so you can just add them to water during your run for an instant sports drinks. The tablets come in a variety of flavors, including banana, triberry, lemon-lime, citrus, konacola and orange-ginger.
Clif Bar Electrolyte Replacement Drink
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Clif Bar's Electrolyte Replacement Drink is designed to deliver fluids to your body at an optimal rate as you sweat them out. It contains high levels of sodium and tartness, so that it will quench your thirst, and then subtly prime your thirst mechanism. The sports drink is 92 percent organic, contains potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium, and is available in lemonade, crisp apple (also contains caffeine) or cran-razz flavors.
Powerbar Endurance Sports Drink
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With a light flavor that's not too sweet, Powerbar's Endurance Sports Drink is ideal for hydration and muscle fuel delivery while running. Its scientific formulated concentration maximizes carbohydrate delivery while allowing rapid fluid absorption to keep you hydrated and energized. The drink contains key electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, and is available in sun tea, fruit punch and lemon-lime.
Ultima Replenisher
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Ultima Replenisher is a great, natural alternative to the sugary sports drinks. This electrolyte drink contains no sugar, artificial coloring, flavors or sweeteners and is full of enhanced vitamins and antioxidants. Ultima is available in kiwi-strawberry, banana berry, wild raspberry, lemonade and orange flavors.
