Frequently Asked Questions

By providing increased carbohydrate, protein or amino acids, extra fluid, vitamins, minerals, trace elements or other ingredients, sportsfoods and drinks can play an important role in reducing the risk of nutritional deficiencies arising from intense physical activity. They also reduce the risk of physical exhaustion, impaired recovery from exercise and the risk of exercise-induced metabolic and tissue disturbances. 

Well formulated sports foods and drinks are designed to: 

• meet normal nutritional requirements when it is difficult to eat or drink because of the practical conditions of the intense physical activity 
• meet supplementary energy and/or macro-nutrient needs
• compensate for water and micro-nutrient losses due to intense physical activity
• delay the onset of fatigue or improve recovery from fatigue.

Yes. Intense physical activity stimulates the metabolism of energy, carbohydrates, protein and lipids and causes losses of water, vitamins, mineral salts, and trace-elements. 

The nature and level of the individual's particular nutritional requirements, therefore, varies according to the type, frequency, duration and intensity of the physical activity, as well as the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, altitude) in which the activity takes place. Running a marathon, for example, uses a total of 2500-3000 kcal. For a recreational athlete this may induce energy expenditure of approximately 750 kcal/hr, but for an elite athlete who finishes in about 2 - 2 1/2 hours this could represent about 1500 kcal/hr. A professional cyclist will use about 6,500 kcal/day, a figure that can be increased to 9000 kcal/ day when cycling over a mountain pass.

Diabetics who are exercising need extra carbohydrate. Sports and energy drinks contain carbohydrates and so can be useful. However, diabetics should consult their doctor to ensure that any energy or sports drink consumed suits their prescribed dietary regime.

Caffeine is added to some sports and energy drinks. If present at levels greater than 150mg/litre, by law the product must carry a clear statement on the label indicating the levels present and label it as having a high caffeine content.

Caffeine intake is known to increase feelings of alertness and energy. Caffeine may also affect the body's ability to use it's fat stores as an energy source during exercise. For these, reasons, the International Olympic Committee bars athletes, who have a high level of caffeine in their urine, (indicating a high dietary intake) from competing.

Like many other soft drinks, sports drinks are acidic and contain carbohydrates and concerns have been raised about their possible contribution to tooth decay and tooth erosion. However, there are many factors involved in the development of tooth decay and tooth erosion and whilst sports drinks do not pose a higher dental risk than any other standard soft drink, regular users should practice good dental hygiene. 

The British Dental Association has the following tips to help maintain healthy teeth when using sports drinks: 

• Drink quickly - avoid sipping slowly 
• Don't hold or 'swish' round in the mouth - try to minimise contact with teeth (using a straw will achieve this) 
• Use chilled as warmer drinks are more erosive 
• Rinse the mouth with water after using drinks rather than brushing immediately after as this is more likely to wear the teeth away 
• Avoid inserting a mouthguard immediately after using a sports drink 
• Avoid other acidic beverages during the day to reduce the risk of erosion, by drinking water, tea, coffee or milk at other times. 

The best dental care is preventative and The British Dental Association recommends that all people engaged in training and sports should have regular dental check-ups. Dentists can offer help in improving an individual's dental hygiene routine as appropriate for a specific training plan or competition programme.