Gatorade
Exercise freaks swear by this sports drink. Gatorade is known to rehydrate, replenish and refuel but what exactly does it do for an athlete? It’s scientifically formulated to replace more of what you lose when you sweat (this is also why you shouldn’t sip on energy drinks unless you’re working out). By providing fluids and electrolytes to promote complete rehydration and carbs to refuel working muscles, Gatorade helps you keep going longer. Flavours include Tropical Fruit Punch and Lemon Lime.
Price: €1.90
Powerade
History of the sports drink is limited with articles simply referring to Gatorade as the first and best sports drink available. But that was until Powerade joined the race. Salt, sodium citrate and mono-potassium phosphorate are the main ingredients in Gatorade for replenishing electrolytes to prevent or relieve cramping. PowerAde uses salt, potassium phosphorate and potassium citrate. Minor differences, you could say, but apparently, for someone on a low sodium diet, Powerade is a better choice.
Price: €1.90
Lucozade
Lucozade is a sparkling drink formulated with glucose syrup, a readily absorbed source of food energy for the body. Glucose is the body’s preferred energy source during intense exercise and as the supply diminishes, performance suffers. Glucose is also the preferred source of fuel for the brain and red blood cells. Lucozade was first manufactured in 1927 by a Newcastle chemist who experimented for several years to provide a source of energy for those who were sick with common illnesses. It became available throughout the UK for use in hospitals under the name Glucozade.
Price: €1.30
Irn Bru
Cult-like status? Really? When I spotted Irn Bru on Carrefour’s shelves, I was contemplating not adding it to the list. Why? The packaging put me off and to be honest, I had never heard of it. But apparently, I’ve been living under a rock because Irn Bru is huge in the UK, especially Scotland where it is manufactured. It is a mild citrus beverage with caffeine (much like a combination of an energy drink and a sports drink) with a taste like a burning sensation at the back of the mouth that becomes extraordinarily refreshing after two seconds. Also available in diet version.
Price: €0. 83
Isostar
Isostar was created in 1977 in Switzerland and since then has focused on world domination. Not only is the brand one of the most recognisable brands in songs and movies, you can now find it in a million different versions. There’s the powder, tablets, cans, bottles and even a gel! Based on the latest results in sports nutrition research, Isostar Fast Hydration contains an optimised combination of carbohydrate that assists athletic performance. It contains more calcium and magnesium for muscle functions and energy.
Price: €1.20
Red Bull
Like most popular soft drinks, Red Bull is largely sugared water. But don’t count on its glucose to ‘give you wings’ as the ad says. Multiple studies have debunked the so-called sugar high. Also known as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, taurine was originally isolated from bull bile in 1827. Now made synthetically, it is the magical elixir said to bring out the kitesurfer in all of us. Taurine’s actual effects, while not as drastic as the hype, are pretty wide-ranging even from the amount found in a single can. Not only is it an inhibitory neurotransmitter and an age-defying antioxidant, it even has the potential to steady irregular heartbeats.
Price: €2
Shark
Shark is an energy drink from Austria that is gaining popularity around the world because of its different qualities. According to the information Shark distributes about its product, its ingredients are what stands it apart. Nearly all energy drinks contain caffeine but the preferred type of caffeine seems to be synthetic. Shark, on the other hand, relies on natural caffeine derived from the coffee bean or guarana plant. The presence of dextrose is another benefit because it helps the other carbohydrates in the drink, resulting in better, longer-lasting fuel for the body.
Price: €2
