Water: An Overlooked Essential Nutrient.

Water: An Overlooked Essential Nutrient.

A new battle is raging in Congress concerning Gatorade and enhanced water products in school vending machines. Should they be considered junk food and not allowed? or, are they truly of value to the students? According to an article in the September 26, 2007, Washington Post, public health advocates to ban the sale of Gatorade and Powerade, which normally contain up to two-thirds the sugar of sodas and more sodium, in addition to waters such as Vitamin Water and SoBe Life Water. Too much sodium intake by young people could surge high blood pressure. Nutritionists stipulate that sports drinks are not as healthful as claimed. A 12-ounce bottle of Gatorade Rain contains 75 calories, 21 grams of sugar and 165 milligrams of sodium, compared with 150 calories, 40.5 grams of sugar and 52 milligrams of sodium in a can of Coke.

Of course, companies such as Coca Cola and Pepsi, with 2006 sales of sports drinks reaching $7.5 billion, retort that these sports drinks and sweetened waters are lower in calories, "appropriate" for high school students and "essential" to young athletes. The journal Beverage Digest reports that in 2006, sports drinks were the third fastest growing beverage category in the U.S., after energy drinks, such as Red Bull and bottled water.

This past April, the Institute of Medicine urged that sports drinks be made available in schools only to student athletes who participate in over one hour of vigorous activity. Similarly, a report from University of California -- Berkeley warned that students drinking one 20-ounce sports drink every day for a year may gain about 13 pounds.

This battle is about young people in schools. What about young adults and adults in companies, such as yours? Should you contract with Gaterade, Powerade or a bottled water supplier this coming year?

Here are the facts that are most important to digest (pun intended):

Of your firm's 55 attorneys, 32 of them workout regularly for 1 hour five days out of the week.

Our company encourages that its personnel stay in good physical shape and exercise at least three times a week. Our employees' health and mental well being is a highest priority.

Because of this importance on health, it is essential to choose the most essential foods and beverages for the largest number of people.

Hydration during sporting activities is a necessity. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can lead to major health problems and even injuries.

According to nutrition experts, when exercising for less than 60 to 90 minutes, water should be adequate to meet one's fluid needs.

Water is a great source of fluid when exercising for one hour or less.

According to an article in the Journal of the American Dietary Association (by SM Kleiner, 1999, p. 200), the following are the standards for fluid intake.

Drink a minimum of 1 quart (4 cups) of fluid for every 1,000calories you eat every day.

Drink at least 5 cups of water every day.

Fluids should be cool.

For moderate exercise that lasts an hour or less, water is sufficient for replacing lost fluids.

Drink 2 cups of fluid 2 hours before exercise.

Drink 4-6 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise.