Water is the Ultimate Sports Drink!

Water is best...

Here are the facts:

• Kids 4 – 8 yrs old should drink 57 oz. of water daily
• Boys 9 – 13 yrs old should drink 81 oz. of water daily.  Girls of the same age need 71 oz. daily.
• Girls 14 – 18 yrs old need 77 oz. of water every day.  Boys of the same age should drink 111 oz. daily.
  
• In order to ensure that young athletes stay hydrated during sports, it is important that they start their activity well hydrated – especially during the school day if training or playing sports after school.
  
• During exercise, athletes should drink during every break in the action – or every 15-20 minutes and they should drink 8 – 15 oz. at EACH break.
  
• Rehydration following sports activities is also crucial.  Complete rehydration following exercise can take up to 36 hours.
  
• Sports drinks should be considered when a child is participating in prolonged sessions of exercise (more than 60 mins.)

• If sports drinks are used with youth athletes – consider lower sugar options and smaller portion sizes.

Sports drinks are high in sugar – a single 20 oz bottle contains over 80% of the recommended daily intake of sugar.  That’s two-thirds as much sugar as soda!

Sports drinks often contain acidic ingredients like citric acid which also contributes to tooth decay.

Frequent exposure to sports drinks may cause loss of tooth enamel (erosion) and / or decay.  Sugars are converted to acid by bacteria in plaque.  The acid dissolves the tooth enamel and can lead to tooth decay.

Water is the best drink for everyone!