Sports Drinks versus Energy Drinks

Do not confuse energy drinks with sports drinks. Energy drinks are taking the world by storm, especially the world of 13- to 25-year-olds. These tasty, sweet, often caffeine-laden drinks have one purpose- to give the consumer an instant energy boost. Don't be misled by marketing claims like "contains B6, B12, taurine, ginseng and other natural ingredients." Although these substances may be in the drink, often the active ingredients are caffeine, sugar or a combination of the two. The purpose of these drinks is not health; it is a short-lived energy boost.

Sports drinks are not energy drinks. The purpose of sports drinks is to replenish the body's fluids, essential minerals and nutrients during and after exercise or events. Terms like, isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic define classes of sports drinks. Most commonly used are isotonic sports drinks which focus on quickly replenishing carbohydrates and electrolytes lost through sweating during athletic activity. While many sports drinks do provide bona fide benefit for athletes, preventing dehydration and restoring levels of glycogen in the muscle, very few, if any, are from totally natural, whole food sources. Most sports drinks are chemical formulations with little or no true, food value.

The natural, sports drink alternative - AIM BarleyLife Xtra

Experts agree that three qualities are important in a sports drink.

• It should replace expended carbohydrates to replenish spent glycogen stores.
• It should replace electrolytes lost through sweat to maintain electrical firing within cells.
• It should taste good, so that the athlete continues to drink after thirst is abated for more complete hydration.

AIM BarleyLife Xtra demonstrates these qualities and much more.

Carbohydrates

Each 6.5 g serving of AIM BarleyLife Xtra contains 5 g of carbohydrates. The AIM advantage is that these carbohydrates do not come from sucrose. AIM BarleyLife Xtra provides complex carbohydrates, glucose and fructose occurring naturally in the green barley and other ingredients. These carbohydrates release more evenly during exertion and do not create the energy spike and drop often associated with simple sugars.

Electrolytes

Five key electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. AIM BarleyLife Xtra delivers each of these important nutrients in the balance nature intended for more rapid and efficient use by our bodies.

Taste

Until now, the taste of AIM BarleyLife may not have appealed to our sweet tooth. But, with the great, new cherry-apple flavor of AIM BarleyLife Xtra, it's a pleasure to drink, ensuring more thorough hydration.

AIM BarleyLife Xtra goes the Xtra mile

AIM BarleyLife Xtra does not stop at just providing the three key qualities of a traditional sports drink. It brings more advantages to the mix.

Protein

AIM BarleyLife Xtra provides protein on a balanced, easy-to-assimilate level. For years, it was thought that, while protein is important for muscle repair and maintenance, it was not necessary during exertion or helpful during endurance training or events. In the past decade, growing research has shown that a combination of protein and carbohydrates during endurance activities actually produced longer-lasting energy than carbohydrates alone. While the research is still on-going regarding the effectiveness of protein during exercise, it is undisputed that protein is important in the recovery process, rebuilding and restoring muscle.

Research has shown that insulin is most sensitive in the 15 to 20 minutes after exercise. This means the insulin will do its best work in converting carbohydrates into the glycogen your muscles need for energy and in putting the protein to work repairing muscle damage. A drink of AIM BarleyLife Xtra after exercise will begin the restoration process.

Cost

Sports drinks cost anywhere from $1.00 to $2.00 per serving. AIM BarleyLife Xtra costs one-third less per serving than the least expensive sports drink on the market.
 Maximum absorption

As a whole food with minimal fiber, AIM BarleyLife Xtra is absorbed into our system rapidly. Since the nutrients occur in the balance our bodies need to process them efficiently, each of the nutrients is metabolized and absorbed completely with very little waste.

Quality

With AIM BarleyLife Xtra, you know you are putting premium quality nutrition into your system. You will see the difference in every aspect of your activity, from endurance, to strength, to recovery time.

When you want to take your performance to the next level, reach for AIM BarleyLife Xtra.

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A&L Houston
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