September 4, 2006
Valdosta - Jimmy Randolph has a rigorous weight training schedule.
He tends to drink flavored waters instead of regular water to help give him an extra boost during workouts. "Propel is good," Randolph says. "It has a distinct flavor to it. I like Gatorade and Powerade because when I sweat a lot it gives me back the minerals I lost and stuff I lost when I work out."
He's just one of many consumers across the country who have found themselves trying to drink their way to a healthier body. Certain drinks claim to boost your immune system, some say they'll improve your memory, while others give you more energy.
Some nutritionists say although these drinks may provide some extra vitamins, they are also marketing ploys. "They only thing that will give you energy is the calories because calories are energy," says Exercise Physiologist Mary Wise. "If anything it might just make you think that. Give you motivation."
In fact, if overdone these waters and other work-out additives could be toxic on the body. "If they just drink one water a day, if they like the taste, if it's just for the flavor then that's not a problem. But if they are overloading on it they could put too much on their liver, to much on their kidneys," she adds.
Wise says if you're looking to get healthy and fit, there is no fast fix. A proper diet and exercise are still the best ways to shape up. "You still want to exercise. Get in some cardio vascular exercise, still want to implement a little bit of weight training and eat a balanced diet. Everything's about balance."
And if you are going to take additional additives and supplements with your every day diet, be sure to monitor your intake. Randolph says, "Yeah. I monitor it. Be careful of my intake. I don't want to over do it and hurt myself or pull a muscle."
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