Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
Yes, that's one problem with Gatorade. If you use it for water and electrolytes, you'll slowly go downhill. Endurolytes, you can take as many as you need, separate from hydration. On tour, we're taking Endurolytes, otherwise just food. Very light, not much space. Doubt we'll need them much, if at all.
Don't really need potassium in an electrolyte replacement, since there's so much in food. I think everyone knows to grab a banana in a store - just don't eat it on the road and drop the peel - that not everyone knows. Salted peanuts, raisins, M&Ms in a bag, by thirds. Tastes good, cheap, works.
According to the label, Endurolytes don't have much in the way of electrolyes. Most of what you're getting is vitamin B6. I guess if you take a bunch you'd make a dent. One thing I haven't found is how much the body loses due to sweat and exercise. From what I understand, the RDA is for an average person, not for a person undergoing heavy and extended exertion. As such, I assume that the electrolyte loss and consequent need is probably higher than the RDA. If so, then these supplements just don't seem to be anywhere close to what is needed and what can be found in regular food.
Originally Posted by
njkayaker
Personally, I think the sport-drink stuff is a bit overrated.
Anyway, most people consume more than "8 ounces" of these things as "a serving" (a large Gatorade is 32oz). While cycling, tend people drink more frequently than they eat. Also, there's not much hydration going on with raisins (for example).
32 oz of Gatorade would have 8% of the Potassium RDA. A cup of OJ (8oz) has almost twice that. I like Gatorade and think its fine for a combination of water and energy with a sprinkling of potassium and sodium, but if I was starting to cramp or otherwise felt I needed some potassium, I'd grab some OJ or a banana (probably an OJ because convenience store bananas are often less than appealing to me). Raisins would be excellent as well, but I don't like them too much, except in cereal.