Gatorade, Vitamin Water, Body Armor, FitAid, Nuun tablets...these are just a few of the many sports drinks that have been a staple for refueling the body after physical activity. While the ingredients vary substantially among each drink, there are a few common components you'll find, a few being:

• Electrolytes
• Amino Acids (BCAAs or EAAs)
• B Vitamins

What purpose do these compounds serve in human nutrition? And are they necessary? Furthermore, are they worth the other ingredients that are also commonly found in sports drinks like sugar, synthetic dyes, and flavorings?

Andy and Aaron break down key ingredients found in popular sports drinks, how they impact the recovery process, and what to look for before consuming.

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Resources:

• How much water should you drink?
• Hydration 101: How Much Water Do You Really Need?
• "Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a Day." Really? Is There Scientific Evidence for "8 X 8"?
• Everything you need to know about electrolytes
• Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutrition
• Lysine
• Methionine 
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Leucine
• Isoleucine
• Valine
• Histidine
• Branched-chain amino acids in health and disease: metabolism, alterations in blood plasma, and as supplements
• Branched chain amino acid supplementation and exercise induced muscle damage in exercise recovery: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
• Activation of mTORC1 by leucine is potentiated by branched-chain amino acids and even more so by essential amino acids following resistance exercise
• Essential amino acids and muscle protein recovery from resistance exercise
• Niacin
• Pantothenic acid (B5) in health and disease
• Vitamin B12 in Health and Disease
• Riboflavin (B2) and Health: A Review of Recent Human Research
• Inflammation, vitamin B6 and related pathways

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