Whether competing against yourself or an opponent, you want your body to perform at its peak. To compete at the highest level, you need to take care of yourself. And one way to do that is to stay hydrated. Plain water will do the job, but you need something to keep up when you’re competing to your utmost. You need the best sports drink to deliver all the hydration, minerals, and electrolytes to maintain your optimal level of performance.

Scientists developed the first sports beverage in 1965 to help improve the performance of the Florida Gators football team, and the effects are well known. When you become dehydrated, you’re susceptible to muscle cramps and fatigue. You return much-needed water to your body systems and replenish your electrolyte stores by drinking a healthy sports drink. 

Your muscles need calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphate, chloride, and sodium to keep them functioning properly. These drinks also contain some healthy carbohydrates to boost your blood sugar levels so you can regain some energy. 

Even when you understand the benefits of electrolyte drinks, it can be hard to select the one that’ll deliver the goods when you need them. There are so many choices on the market. How do you know which one to choose? No worries; we’ve got your back. We’ve made a list of the best sports drinks for hydration, whether you’re a runner, football player, or mountain climber. You’ll be able to stay hydrated and perform like the champion you are and recuperate that much faster post-workout.

1. Gatorade Lemon-Lime 28oz Btl

It doesn't matter if you just finished a challenging workout or simply feel dehydrated; Gatorade's classic lemon-lime flavor will replenish your electrolytes to keep you on your feet. Gatorade’s the original sports hydration drink, and it’s still one of the best. Don’t settle for anything other than the drink that’s been soaking award-winning coaches for a generation. 

$3.19

2. Nuun Hydration Lemon And Lime Electrolyte Tablets 10ct

Nuun Hydration Sport is an effervescent tablet that dissolves in your water and replenishes minerals and electrolytes lost during exercise. Nuun's blend of electrolytes is designed for optimal hydration and uses the best in sports nutrition science. It’s non-GMO verified, gluten-free, and plant-based, letting you feel good about how you hydrate.

$7.89

3. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Electrolyte Drink Mix Powder Lemon Lime 10ct Box

Refuel with Hydration Multiplier, a great-tasting, non-GMO electrolyte drink mix powered by Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) to hydrate faster and more efficiently than water alone. One serving of Liquid IV can provide the same hydration as drinking two to three bottles of water and contains three times the electrolytes in conventional sports drinks, plus five essential vitamins.

$19.99

4. Propel Immunity Support Orange Raspberry

Propel Immunity Support is the newest electrolyte water from the makers of Gatorade. Propel helps support a healthy immune system by delivering at least 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C in every bottle. It’s also an excellent source of zinc, a key ingredient to boost the effectiveness of your antibodies and keep you feeling healthy and strong.

$2.39

5. Powerade Zero Orange 32oz

The fun thing about a sports drink like Powerade is carrying it everywhere. It creates the illusion that you’re about to work out and not just drink it because walking up a flight of stairs is enough of a workout for one day. Regardless of your reasons, refuel your body with the proven electrolyte and hydration boosting power of sugar-free Powerade, complete with zero calories.

$2.79

6. BODYARMOR Fruit Punch Sports Drink 16oz

Suit up for anything life on the field throws at you. BODYARMOR super drink provides superior nutrition, hydration, and taste than other sports drink brands. This delicious thirst quencher is formulated with a proprietary blend of coconut water, minerals, and other ingredients that work together to protect systems, prevent injury, and hydrate your body.

$1.99

7. Roar Organic Blueberry Acai 18oz

Throw your opponents off their game with Roar. You get healthy hydration, combined with antioxidants, and B vitamins, at only 10 calories per serving. Its 100% non-GMO formulation has no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Roar sports drinks provide premium hydration that also supports your immune system. It’s vegan-friendly and loaded with thirst-quenching flavor.

$2.79

8. Vitamin Water Energy 20oz Btl

Good news for good people who like good stuff. Vitamin Water Energy is the same tropical citrus-flavored beverage you’ve always relied on to quench your thirst, just with more stuff. That means more of the vitamins, electrolytes, and nutrients you depend on to stay healthy. And with only 100 calories and 60 milligrams of caffeine, you'll have the energy to do more with more.

$2.99

FAQ

Are sports drinks good for kids?

There’s been some controversy about whether sports drinks belong in a child’s everyday diet. The easy answer is no. Some sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade have between 20 and 48 grams of sugar in a 20-ounce bottle. That’s 8 to 12 teaspoons, comparable to most fruit juices but with the dyes and other additives. All that extra sugar can lead to tooth decay and obesity.

That isn’t to say your kids should forgo sports drinks entirely. There’s a place in your child’s diet ifthey’re taking part in high-intensity physical activity for more than an hour at a time. In that case, even young athletes need to replenish sugars and electrolytes lost through intense, sweaty exercise. If they aren’t, they should stick to drinking water.

And one more thing: don’t confuse sports drinks with energy drinks. Energy drinks contain caffeine and other supplements that could disturb sleep patterns, increase anxiety, elevate their heart rate, or have other harmful effects. Always read the label to ensure that what you’re giving your child is appropriate for their age.

If you have any questions about your child’s diet, please contact a registered dietitian for guidance.

What are the benefits of sports drinks?

There are a lot of benefits to drinking a sports drink before, during, and after a workout. Let’s take a look at a few.

BEFORE YOUR WORKOUT: Sports drinks contain a high amount of carbohydrates, usually as sucrose or fructose sugars. These carbs are a source of easily accessible energy for your muscles, especially if you’re playing a sport that requires quick bursts of activity like basketball. Think of it as topping up the fuel tank.

DURING YOUR WORKOUT: The best sports drink should replenish water and electrolytes that you lose to perspiration and boost energy, especially if you’re doing a high-endurance workout. A sports drink lets you train longer and harder by keeping both your brain and muscles from getting exhausted before your training session ends. 

POST WORKOUT: Sports drinks can help you recover faster by rehydrating your body and replenishing your energy stores, so long as you consume them with other healthy sources of protein, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients.

What is the healthiest workout drink?

The experts agree that the healthiest beverage to drink when working out is good old H20. But what if plain drinking water isn’t your style? If you’re looking for a natural beverage that’ll help rehydrate and give you a boost of energy, you can try organic coconut water. It’s full of naturally occurring electrolytes, including more potassium than a banana, without added ingredients or sugars. In fact, studies have found that coconut water is as good at post-workout rehydration as any manufactured sports drink.

If you participate in activities that require a lot of endurance, like long-distance running, you need a sports drink that provides fuel for this type of training in the form of carbohydrates. In that case, the best sports drinks for runners would be one that provides a healthy mix of carbohydrates for energy, electrolytes to keep you hydrated, and a healthy dose of vitamins. BODYARMOR Fruit Punch Sports Drink ticks all those boxes with a formula containing coconut water, vitamins, potassium-rich electrolytes, and none of the bad stuff like artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors.  

Is there an appropriate sports drink for weight loss, given the need for those additional carbs to fuel your workout? We’re glad you asked. The best sports drinks for weight loss are ones without heaps of added sugar that turn each bottle into a calorie bomb. Look for beverages with reduced sugar, like Roar Organic Blueberry Acai, Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier Electrolyte Drink Mix Powder Lemon Lime, or Nuun Hydration Lemon And Lime Electrolyte Tablets. Powerade Zero Orange is also a good option if you can tolerate sucralose. 

Remember, carbohydrates are what fuel your workout. If your sports drink doesn’t provide any, you’ll need to find another source for the energy you need to get you through your training. Consult a registered dietitian if you have any questions about sports drinks or healthy eating. 

Go get ‘em, Tiger!