Can sports drinks really achieve their claimed efficacy? What is to be noted when choosing from an array of sports drinks?

Nowadays, everybody pursues a healthy lifestyle. Many people believe that since sports drinks contain electrolytes and lower sugar content, they must be a better choice compared to soft drinks. Yet, sports drinks abound on the market. Drinks with or without sugar, drinks containing electrolytes, vitamins and even caffeine all claim to be sports or energy drinks. Consumers must choose from these drinks carefully, and pay close attention to the ingredients and nutritional labels prior to consumption. Some sports drinks even allegedly mislead consumers on their nutritional labels, with promised effects unattainable.

It is recommended that consumers pay attention to nutritional labels when purchasing sports drinks: