Should people drink mineral/vitamin waters or Gatorade? And what
about energy drinks (i.e., Red Bull, Rockstar): Are they
dangerous? What about alcoholic drinks? For dehydration from
exercise and heat, cool water is still the best. In the case of
dehydration from body fluid loss, vomiting and diarrhea, an
electrolyte solution, or drinks such as Gatorade or Pedialyte,
can be helpful when used according to package guidelines.
Nonetheless, adults can usually do well with water alone. Taking
salt tablets can lead to hypernatremia — too much salt in the
body. Energy drinks are a real problem. The caffeine in them
stimulates the kidney to produce more urine when exercising,
which will further dehydrate you. It may even have a bit of a
laxative effect, with further undesirable effects. With heat and
exercise, the pulse rate often rises, and the caffeine in these
drinks can push it further, sometimes to dangerous levels.
Anyone who has ever had more than a few alcoholic drinks knows
that alcohol promotes more urine p