Sports and Energy Drinks

Volume 10: The Science of Beverages

Alexandru Grumezescu, Alina Maria Holban

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780128158517
• eBook ISBN: 9780128165294
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Food Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Sports and Energy Drinks, Volume 10 in The Science of Beverages series, is the first single-volume resource to focus on the science behind these beverages-for-purpose products. As consumers seek ways to effectively replenish key nutrients after strenuous activity—while also balancing calories and vitamin intake—sports and energy drinks is one of the fastest growing markets in the industry. From protein to fruit, athlete to adolescent consumption, this book explores the key issues and challenges in developing products that meet consumer demand in a safe-and-effective manner.This series takes a multidisciplinary approach to help research and development professionals understand the scientific complexities of these unique beverages. As demand for sports and energy drinks is growing and with a more competitive market, this timely and useful resource will equip industry professionals with the tools they need to create new and innovative health-promoting products.- Presents new findings on the health effects of sports and energy drinks- Provides research analysis of existing products to promote new product innovation- Includes information on trace minerals to promote safety and quality

1

Sports and Energy Drinks: Aspects to Consider

Raquel Raizel; Audrey Yule Coqueiro; Andrea Bonvini; Julio Tirapegui Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Sports and energy drinks are a rapidly growing segment of the beverage industry, marketed by hundreds of different brands. Sports drinks usually contain carbohydrate, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients, and are marketed as products capable of improving athletic performance by providing hydration and replenishment of electrolytes lost through sweat and carbohydrate during and after intense physical activity. In contrast, energy drinks typically contain stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), which are often combined with amino acids, added sugars, B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to form the so-called “energy blend,” to give energy boost, decrease tiredness, and enhance mental alertness. Sales of a range of drinks and sports products have increased exponentially, but there is limited information on important aspects that should be considered. Thus, this chapter proposes an overview of the components, functionality, effectiveness, safety, applicability, and effects of sports and energy drinks on metabolism.

Keywords

Sports drinks; Energy drinks; Sports beverages; Hydration; Electrolytes; Sugar; Minerals; Amino acids; Vitamins; Stimulants

1.1 Introduction

The development of nutritional beverages specifically geared toward improving the athletic performance has increased dramatically over the last decades (Park et al., 2013). The sports beverage industry has evolved from a single electrolyte drink to a multibillion dollar category within the larger sports drinks, sports food, & sports supplements markets. According to the report titled “Sports Nutrition Market (Sports Food, Sports Drink & Sports Supplements): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2016–2022,” published by Zion Market Research, the global sports nutrition market accounted for USD 28.37 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach USD 45.27 billion by 2022.

Sports and energy drinks/beverages are sold with the aim of providing real or perceived enhanced physiological and/or performance effects by delaying the onset of fatigue (Thomas et al., 2016). These drinks commonly contain a source of carbohydrate, electrolytes (minerals such as chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium), stimulants (such as caffeine, guarana, and taurine), vitamins, and others. Although sports drinks are primarily formulated to meet the needs of athletes during strenuous physical exercise, these products are increasingly attracted by lifestyle and recreational users (Higgins et al., 2010). According to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey data for 25,492 US adults (18 years of age or older; 48% males), 31.3% of adults were sports and energy drink consumers, with 21.5% consuming sports and energy drinks one or more times per week and 11.5% consuming three or more times per week (CDC, 2010). Worryingly, a high proportion of children have consumed sports drinks regularly and outside of sporting activity, increasing the risk of dental caries and erosion, since sports drinks are acidic and high in sugar (Broughton et al., 2016).

Although sports drinks can hydrate and replenish electrolytes and carbohydrates, assisting to meet thermoregulation, and athletes’ nutrition recovery goals, the elevated levels of stimulants, such as caffeine, in energy drinks may increase urinary output and natriuresis (Higgins et al., 2010; Riesenhuber et al., 2006). These conditions, as well as the intake of an excessive amount of hypotonic fluid, may lead to exertional hyponatremia, a common electrolyte disturbance that, if not treated properly and promptly, may be potentially fatal due to encephalopathy (Casa et al., 2012). Long-term exposure to the various components of energy drinks may also result in significant alterations in the cardiovascular system and, although energy drinks may promote benefits to physical performance, this has raised the question about the safety of these beverages (Riesenhuber et al., 2006; Alsunni, 2015).

Despite several studies showing ergogenic effects of sports and energy drinks and manufacturers of energy drinks claiming they are suitable and safe for consumers, currently, significant concerns have been raised about the need and safety of these products (Alsunni, 2015). In this chapter, we summarize important aspects of these beverages, including their nutritional composition, applicability, biological properties, and beneficial and adverse health effects, focusing on physical exercise and sports.

1.2 Component of Sports and Energy Drinks

The main role of a sports beverage is to stimulate rapid fluid absorption and speed rehydration, supply carbohydrate as energy substrate for use during exercise, and promote overall recovery after exercise. Energy drinks are marketed as products contributing to the increase of mental and physical energy boost, enhancing physical and cognitive functioning. Nonetheless, evidence to support these declarations is limited. The main components of sports and energy drinks are illustrated in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

Composition of Sports and Energy Drinks and Their Use in Sports

	Composition	Sports-Related Use
Sports drinks	6%–8% CHO (including glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltodextrin)	Optimum delivery of fluid + CHO during exercise
	10–25 mmol/L sodium	Postexercise rehydration
	3–5 mmol/L potassium	Postexercise refuelling
Energy drinks	9%–10% CHO or sugar free	Not formulated for rehydration
	Caffeine	Claimed to give energy “burst”
	Amino acids Herbal substances Vitamins and other ingredients	Excessive consumption results in mainly caffeine-related adverse effects

CHO = carbohydrates.

1.2.1 Sports Drinks

Sport drinks are a unique category within the beverage industry and are formulated for quick replacement of fluids and electrolytes that are lost by sweating during exercise, and to provide carbohydrate (sugar) to replenish glycogen stores, thus sustaining performance capacity (Campbell et al., 2013). The hydration effect of sports beverages is not immediate since the fluid must be absorbed in the proximal small intestines, where 50%–60% of any given fluid ingested orally is absorbed (Riesenhuber et al., 2006). Thus, the “ideal” sports drink should provide a rapid gastric emptying rate, a body fluid balance, minerals that are typically lost through sweat during exercise and an adequate carbohydrate source to aid in energy supply and performance (Maughan et al., 2016). Among the available sports drinks, there are three main types (isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic) containing different amounts of fluid, electrolytes, and carbohydrate.

1.2.1.1 Isotonic

Isotonic drinks are produced with salt and sugar levels similar to those found in the human body. It quickly replaces fluids lost by sweat offering a boost of carbohydrate. They are the preferred choice for most athletes, including middle and long-distance running or those involved in team sports. Most sports drinks are moderately isotonic, containing between 13 and 19 g of sugar per 250 mL and small amounts of electrolytes in the form of salts, most commonly sodium (Colakoglu et al., 2016).

1.2.1.2 Hypertonic

When compared to the human body, hypertonic drinks contain high concentrations of salt and sugar. Normally consumed postworkout to supplement daily carbohydrate intake and refuel muscle glycogen stores. Can be taken during ultradistance events to meet high-energy demands, but must be use...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• Series Preface
• Preface
• 1: Sports and Energy Drinks: Aspects to Consider
• 2: What Is the Cost of Soft Energy Drinks to Our Health and Economy?
• 3: Pharmacological Aspects and Health Impact of Sports and Energy Drinks
• 4: Factors Influencing the Optimal Choice of Sports Beverages
• 5: Whey Protein-Based Functional Energy Drinks Formulation and Characterization
• 6: The Impact of Sports and Energy Drinks in Performance
• 7: Chemical and Physical Modification of Carbonated Energy Beverages to Reduce the Damage Over Teeth and Restorative Materials
• 8: Role of Phenols in Energy and Functional Beverages
• 9: Functional Beverages in Health Promotion, Sport, and Disease Prevention: An Overview
• 10: Influence of Substances Present in Energy and Sports Drinks in Improving Athletic Performance
• 11: Effect of Sports and Energy Drinks on Dental Hard Tissues
• 12: Health-Promoting Perspectives of Fruit-Based Functional Energy Beverages
• 13: Consumption of Different Energy Beverages and Oral Health
• 14: Fruit Juices as Probiotic Foods
• 15: A Comprehensive Study on Sports and Energy Drinks
• 16: A Perspective on Consumption of Energy Drinks
• Index