# data[].attributes.body
Debate Rules

1. Students will choose a table (Team Water or Team Sports Drinks)

2. Create posts in your team’s section that:

State your argument in the subject line

Provide detailed explanation and reasoning in the body

Include supporting evidence (link to research, image, or video)

3. Review the opposing team’s arguments

4. Use comments to:

Ask questions about other team’s arguments

Respond to questions about your posts

Challenge claims with counter-evidence

Remember to:

Keep discussions respectful and fact-based

Support claims with scientific evidence

Focus on health and performance impacts

# data[].attributes.body
Water is the most essential drink for hydration. Type of Evidence: Scientific Study

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Water vs. Sports Drinks: What’s Best for our Bodies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As the temperatures heat up, many of us find ourselves reaching for a cool drink to stay hydrated. When is it appropriate to grab a sports or electrolyte drink, and when is it best to go with water?

# data[].attributes.body
Here are some resources to guide your research:

- [Health Benefits of Water](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water)
- [Sports Drinks vs. Water](https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/water-vs-sports-drinks)
- Various publications and videos available from your school library

# data[].attributes.body
Sports drinks are beneficial for replenishing electrolytes after intense physical activity. Type of Evidence: Expert Testimony from Sports Nutritionists

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you ever watch sports, you have probably seen athletes sipping on brightly colored beverages before, during or after a competition.

These sports drinks are a big part of athletics and big business around the globe.

Many people believe that these drinks are the magic elixir to improve exercise performance, even if you are not an athlete.

However, others will tell you that this is just marketing and you should stick with water.

Water makes up the majority of your body weight and is critical for your body's proper functioning ().

In addition to losing water through urine, sweat and feces, your body is continually losing water through your skin and the air you exhale ().

To replace these losses and promote good health and exercise performance, it's often recommended to drink fluids regularly throughout the day (, ).

Although needs can vary, the recommended daily fluid intake is 91 ounces (2.7 liters) for adult women and 125 ounces (3.7 liters) for adult men ( 5).

The Main Ingredients in Sports Drinks

Water is the main ingredient in sports drinks, but they also contain other substances, including carbs and electrolytes, which are supposed to improve performance.

The carbs in these drinks are often in the form of sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose, but they may also be found in other forms.

Typically, sports drinks are 6-8% carbohydrates. A 6% solution contains about 14 grams of carbs per 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) ().

However, some sports drinks are low- or zero-carb in an effort to appeal to those who want water and electrolytes without extra calories.

Electrolytes, or minerals that have an electrical charge, are essential for your body's normal operation ( 7).

The main electrolytes found in sports drinks are sodium and potassium ().

Popular brands of sports drinks include Gatorade&circledR;, Powerade&circledR; and All Sport&circledR;, among others.

Although there are several different brands available, there is likely not a large difference in the effectiveness of the major sports drinks on the market ().

While much research has been conducted on sports drinks, some people have questioned the validity of these studies.

Specifically, some have raised concerns about the relationship between the large companies that make sports drinks and the scientists performing the studies ().

Summary Sports drinks contain water and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Most also contain carbs. Several brands of sports drinks are available, but there are probably not major differences in their effects on the body.

The main components of sports drinks - water, carbs and electrolytes - are each important for different aspects of exercise performance.

Water and electrolytes are lost in sweat, and it's important to replace them, particularly during long-duration exercise ().

Your body stores carbs in your muscles and liver called glycogen, which is used for fuel during exercise ().

Consuming carbs before or during exercise can help slow down how quickly your body runs out of its own carbohydrate stores ().

Sports drinks are designed to provide these three important ingredients with the goal of improving exercise performance or recovery ().

Many studies have examined the effects of sports drinks on exercise performance, and much of this research has been conducted in athletes.

Short-Duration Exercise

It's not fully clear if sports drinks are beneficial for short-duration exercise.

One report examined nine studies of intense cycling or running lasting 30-60 minutes ().

Six of the studies showed that sports drinks benefited exercise performance. However, all participants were trained athletes performing intense exercise.

One study in trained cyclists found that a sports drink improved performance by about 2% during one hour of intense cycling, compared to a placebo ().

Despite these findings, there is not strong evidence to support the benefits of sports drinks for short-duration activities, such as jumping, sprinting and agility exercises ().

Similarly, clear benefits have not been demonstrated for weight training (, ).

Team Sports and Intermittent Exercise

The usage of sports drinks is very common in team sports like soccer, basketball and football.

These sports involve intermittent activities, which alternate between intense exercise and rest.

Some research shows that ingesting carbohydrate drinks like sports drinks can reduce fatigue and improve performance in sports like soccer and rugby ().

Other studies have examined cycling for periods of 1.5-4 hours with periodic rest.

One report found that 9 out of 12 studies using this type of exercise showed better performance when sports drinks were consumed, compared to a placebo ().

Prolonged Continuous Exercise

Unlike intermittent exercise, continuous exercise is performed with no rest periods.

Many studies have examined the effects of carbohydrate beverages like sports drinks during continuous exercise lasting 1-4 hours or longer, such as running and cycling.

The majority of these studies show improvements in performance when consuming these beverages ().

Likewise, athletes in team sports that are most similar to prolonged continuous exercise, such as soccer, are most likely to benefit from sports drinks ().

These improvements may be due to the fact that sports drinks provide carbs for energy as your body's stores get low and help prevent dehydration ().

How Many Carbs?

Generally, the number of carbs that may be beneficial increases as the duration of exercise increases.

Research has shown that small amounts of carbs (fewer than 30 grams per hour) may improve exercise performance in events lasting 30-75 minutes ().

It's recommended to consume up to 30 grams per hour of carbs, or about 16 fluid ounces of a sports drink with 6% carbs, in sessions lasting 1-2 hours.

Sessions lasting 2-3 hours may benefit from more carbs - up to 60 grams per hour ().

However, these recommendations are for continuous high-effort activity without rest. The same guidelines don't apply to certain intermittent activities like weight training.

Summary In athletes, sports drinks may improve performance in various types of exercise, with the clearest benefits being seen for prolonged exercise without rest. The number of carbs that may be beneficial increases as the duration of exercise increases.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether sports drinks may benefit you.

Type and Intensity of Exercise

First, consider your exercise habits, as well as the duration and intensity of your training.

While sports drinks can benefit athletes who engage in long or intense training sessions, they are probably unnecessary for most gym-goers.

If you perform light-to-moderate exercise, such as walking or jogging, for less than 1 hour, you probably do not need to use sports drinks.

Similarly, if you only perform weight training, you probably do not need to use sports drinks, even if you spend over an hour at the gym.

Much of your time may be resting between sets, and weight training does not reduce your body's carbohydrate stores as much as endurance exercise does ().

If you do decide to use a sports drink, you should probably consume smaller amounts for exercise lasting less than an hour and no more than 30 grams of carbs for a session lasting 1-2 hours ().

They May Affect Weight Loss

For those trying to maintain or lose weight, another important factor to consider is energy balance, or the balance between the number of calories you consume and burn.

If you want to lose weight, you need to burn more calories in a day than you consume.

If sports drinks are unnecessary for the type of exercise you do, consuming them provides you with unnecessary calories that could hinder your weight loss goals.

However, some research has shown that consuming sports drinks during exercises like running do not "undo" the calories used during exercise ().

For example, a 150-pound (68-kg) person may burn about 240 calories when jogging for 30 minutes ( 17).

Consuming 12 fluid ounces (355 ml) of a common sports drink may provide about 20 grams of carbs and only 80 calories.

However, it's important to realize that some activities may not burn many calories, even if they feel difficult.

For example, weight training may only burn around 120 calories in a 30-minute session if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kg) ( 18).

Think about whether the type and duration of the exercise you do requires a sports drink and be aware of how many calories you consume from these beverages.

Summary Although sports drinks can improve the performance of athletes during several types of exercise, they are probably unnecessary for most people. If you choose to drink these beverages, it is important not to overconsume them.

Much of the marketing of sports drinks focuses on their ability to keep you hydrated by replacing water and electrolytes lost through sweat.

Staying Hydrated

How much you sweat can vary based on many factors, including how long and intensely you exercise, your training level and your environment.

The rate of sweating in humans may range from about 10 fluid ounces/hour (0.3 liters/hour) to 81 fluid ounces/hour (2.4 liters/hour) ().

What's more, it's recommended that athletes do not lose more than 2-3% of their body weight through sweat during exercise ().

However, it's debated whether sports drinks are more effective than water at keeping you hydrated.

Other Options to Stay Hydrated

One study compared 13 different beverages, including sports drinks and water, to see how well they hydrated the body ().

Researchers provided 33.8 fluid ounces (1 liter) of each of these drinks and collected urine over the next several hours.

They found that milk, orange juice and an oral rehydration solution provided the highest amount of hydration.

Oral rehydration solutions are specifically designed to cause fluid retention and contain higher levels of sodium and potassium than a normal sports drink.

An interesting finding from this study was that there was no difference in the hydrating ability of water, sports drinks, tea and cola.

In fact, some beverages that are typically considered to be dehydrating, such as coffee and beer, hydrated the body about as much as water.

In fact, other research has indicated that coffee can help keep you hydrated, contrary to popular belief ().

It's important to note that most drinks can contribute to your daily fluid requirements and help keep you hydrated.

This doesn't mean that you should drink cola or beer during exercise, but it demonstrates that a wide variety of beverages can provide hydration throughout the day.

Enjoying Your Drink

Another factor to consider is that your enjoyment of certain beverages could affect how much you drink.

Research has shown that the flavor of sports drinks causes athletes to drink more than if they were consuming water alone (, ).

As a result, drinks that taste better may be beneficial for increasing fluid consumption in those possibly at risk of dehydration.

Summary While sports drinks may help keep you hydrated, many other beverages can too. Water and sports drinks provide a similar amount of hydration, although the flavor of sports drinks may cause some individuals to drink more.

Sports drinks are very popular among athletes and recreational exercisers, but it's debated whether they're any better than plain water.

The main components of sports drinks are water, carbs and electrolytes.

Research supports their benefits in athletes and those performing long or intense exercise. The recommended amount varies based on the type of exercise.

However, most active individuals in the general population do not exercise intensely enough or long enough to need sports drinks.

Additionally, many beverages can hydrate your body just as effectively as sports drinks, including plain water.

If you choose to use sports drinks, be aware of their calorie contents.

Overall, sports drinks can benefit very active individuals and athletes, but they are not necessary for most people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sports Drinks: Should You Drink Them Instead of Water?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you ever watch sports, you have probably seen athletes sipping on brightly colored beverages before, during or after a competition. These sports drinks are a big part of athletics and big business around the globe. Many people believe that these drinks are the magic elixir to improve exercise performance, even if you are not an athlete.

# data[].attributes.body
it's calorie free and no added sugars or artificial ingredients

# data[].attributes.body
Water keeps you hydrated and healthy. It is the best thing to drink when you are doing something productive.

# data[].attributes.body
I believe water is more healthy due to the fact that a lot of sports drinks have dye i them

# data[].attributes.body
Staying Hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps maximize physical performance and it also significantly affects your energy levels and brain function. As water becomes more useful for hydrating, Sports drinks come more in handy when you need some energy because they have electrolytes and carbohydrates. which helps replenish what's lost through sweat.

# data[].attributes.body
Water helps keep you hydration so while you exercise or do a sport you don't pass out or get hurt. As you exercise you lose body water through sweat so as you do sports or exercise it keeps you hydrated. If you lose too much water weight you can overheat which can be severe.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is definitely better than sports drinks for most people. It hydrates you without the added sugar and calories that come with sports drinks. Unless you’re doing a super intense or long workout, you don’t really need the extra electrolytes or carbs. Sports drinks are designed for athletes doing endurance sports, not for everyday exercise or casual activity. Plus, water is way cheaper and easier to get. It’s the healthiest option to stay hydrated without any of the side effects of sugary drinks.

# data[].attributes.body
sports drinks replenish electrolytes and provide a quick source or energy to keep you going water makes you hydrated but so do sport drinks they also give you energy and they taste better then just water there both really good for you but to me sport drinks are better and keep you going

# data[].attributes.body
i believe sports drinks are only really beneficial for people continuously sweating and doing demanding tasks or workouts. Dietitian Deroche states "i believe in a food thing called the health halo" meaning people believe its very healthy. water is a perfectly fine source of hydration with no sugar and no food dyes

# data[].attributes.body
water is the most important drink

# data[].attributes.body
For general hydration, water is superior to sports drinks because it's calorie-free, readily available, and essential for bodily functions, while sports drinks often contain added sugars and calories that aren't necessary for basic hydration.

# data[].attributes.headline
Water is better for you than sport drinks 

# data[].attributes.subject
Water is better for you than sport drinks 

# data[].attributes.body
Most Sports drinks contain Artificial dye artificial flavoring, And so much more bad stuff while drinking water is something that our body is required to do it keeps you hydrated it keeps you healthy so please

next time you're exercising get a nice cold glass of water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gatorade nutrition: calories, carbs, GI, protein, fiber, fats

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gatorade nutrition (100 grams). Richest in Sugar: 5g (% of DV), Vitamin C: 0mg (0% of DV). Glycemic Index: 89, Calories:26, Net carbs: 6.43, Protein: 0. Source: USDA

# data[].attributes.body
Water overall is better than sports drinks because it's calorie-free, water doesn't contain added sugars either. Although sports drinks give you more energy in the long run they're not the best for your health. Water is healthier, more refreshing, and in the long run it's better for your body.

# data[].attributes.headline
Water doesn't have sugar, artificial sweeteners, or the potential for medication interactions.

# data[].attributes.subject
Water doesn't have sugar, artificial sweeteners, or the potential for medication interactions.

# data[].attributes.body
Sports drinks are full of sugar---and even if you choose the sugar free options, artificial sweeteners can still be bad for you. Not only that, but certain medications such as Spironolactone (a water pill used to treat heart failure and hypertension) make your body hold onto electrolytes such as potassium at a very high concentration. One sports drink for me and I could get hyperkalemia (excess potassium)!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/spironolactone-oral-route/description/drg-20071534

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Spironolactone is used in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Spironolactone is also used to lessen the need for hospitalization for heart failure.

# data[].attributes.body
sports drinks contain electrolytes and carbohydrates, which is very important to keep up with energy. electrolytes help move water in your body, and when we workout we loose them. thats why it is a good thing sports drinks have electrolytes. the carbohydrates can help maintain your blood sugar and delay fatigue.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose water because you don't have to worry about the ingredients. Sports drinks are typically high in sugar and calories. Yes, sports drink can have electrolytes and certain benefits, but water is essential when it comes to hydration and being healthy.

# data[].attributes.body
I think sport drinks are healthier because it actually has things inside the drink to help with sweat. There's a whole science to how the ingredients found in sports drinks help improve performance. In addition to water, sports drinks contain electrolytes and carbohydrates — both of which become important when you're sweating a lot or need to quickly refill your energy stores.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is healthier since it doesn't have any added dyes, calories, or sugars. It also adds water to your body as you do productive work which makes you sweat, leading to your body losing water. Sports drinks are mainly designed for people who do long term, or harder workouts/sports, so water is better for people who don't need the added electrolytes in them. Water is also cheaper and easier to find.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is calorie-free, making it a healthier option for those trying to manage their caloric intake or lose weight sports drinks do not hydrate you more, water hydrate you better, per their definition of better. Sports drinks may contain a more strict set of minerals, more sugar sugar and performance enhancers like caffeine then regular mineral, water is healthier for you because it doesn't have all the added sugars.

# data[].attributes.headline
why sports drinks are better-Karleigh Hamrick.

# data[].attributes.subject
why sports drinks are better-Karleigh Hamrick.

# data[].attributes.body
I believe that sports drinks are better for a numerical of reasons. One is because of the added Electrolytes. Most sport drinks have added electrolytes, so you don't pass out in a game, or other things. In my opinion, water tastes so UNBELIEVEBABLY gross. I cannot stand it at all. Mostly, you can easily check how much electrolytes a drink has by the labels, or googling it. The one sports drink I will never even taste is Prime. Electrolytes are important because they add a boost of hydration. This is why I feel sport drinks are better than water.

# data[].attributes.body
water is the most healthiest option with no added sugars or artificial flavors and it also hydrates you the most

# data[].attributes.body
sport drinks have extra electrolytes you need to stay hydrated.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.xnz953Qs
they give you energy help muscle recovery,and make you more hydrated

# data[].attributes.body
water is very helpful to keep you very hydrated on hot days and it is very healthy for you. it is really good for you to drink water when your working out or anything.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is more healthy than sports drinks and is the best choice for everyday hydration, water is better because it don't contain any extra added sugars or calories or any other unwanted/ unhealthy artificial dyes and ETC water also supports the natural body functions.

# data[].attributes.body
Our bodies need water to live and stay hydrated. Humans need water to do various things like keep our brains functioning, help us stay energized, and help keep us going. The human body is made up of 70% water and losing even a little bit that can really take a toll on our bodies and how we function everyday. Not drinking water and being dehydrated can cause us to have headaches, feel dizzy, feel tired, and unmotivated. Severe dehydration can even possibly cause and higher risks of kidney failure, weak immune system. While sports drinks can taste good and aid to dehydration, but in my opinion sports drinks shouldn't replace water.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sports drinks can be better in the long run.

# data[].attributes.subject
Sports drinks can be better in the long run.

# data[].attributes.body
Sports drinks can help you restore electrolytes (Potassium, sodium, etc.) which a you can loss a lot while working out especially over a longer amount of time. which is better for your body and it can heal and get back the nutrition's that we loss while exercising.

# data[].attributes.body
When it comes to working out, I believe water is the better option. Water is essential for nearly every function in the body. It helps all your joints move more efficiently, and without pain. Drinking water instead of caloric beverages also helps control calorie intake. It is proven that water consumption leads to significant loss of body weight, no matter the diet.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.xnz953Qs
Water is more beneficial for you when exercising or just in general because it is calorie free, readily available, and doesn't contain any added sugars or artificial ingredients. Sports are are helpful before, after and during exercises, BUT should ONLY be used in compactions. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
water is  so much better for you than those sports drinks here's why.

# data[].attributes.body
first of all water is calorie free fat free and doesn't contain all those harsh chemicals or added artificial sugars. a normal sports drink contains about 21 grams of sugar pure 12 ounces a serving. While water with zero and is amazing for hydraytion and is needed for our body to function. so if i was you i would drink water.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why I think Sports Drinks are better than water

# data[].attributes.subject
Why I think Sports Drinks are better than water

# data[].attributes.body
Team sports drinks are usually more effective for hydration than water during intense physical activity because they contain electrolytes and carbohydrates which help to refill the body's fluid and energy stores faster than water alone. Studies have shown that sports drinks can help athletes recover quicker and perform better than water. The mixture of sweetness and salt helps to improve hydration and offers an energy boost for athletes. Water alone does not provide these benefits, making sports drinks a better choice for hydration, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is the base of every drink. It is the only necessary drink that you should have with you. Other drinks are water plus some flavoring to make you drink it more.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is definitely the more affective option than sports drinks. Sports drinks are made for athletes that need extra carbs and electrolytes not for normal people doing causal activity or gym Go'ers. But water is the perfect original hydration source with no extra unknown additives. Also their is no risk of overconsumption of water, overdrinking sports drinks can cause an imbalance in electrolytes. While is safer to consume in large quantities with no negative affects.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.xnz953Qs
common sense, Hydration/ health articles, and general facts.