sugars in electrolyte solutions

["Beth Glace" <lb@nismat.org>]

Roger questioned the concentration of sugars in the Perf/Win product. 
 While I can't comment on the relative concentrations of 
electrolytes in this product, I don't think that the sugars it 
contains can be a problem.  At most a 1 oz portion can contain 1 oz 
of sugar, and this would work out to be 28 grams of carbohydrate, or 
about 112 Kilocalories.  This is a minimal amount of carb considering 
the tremendous expenditure going on, and, as Roger said, sugars can 
markedly speed sodium and water absorption from the gut and thus 
better maintain fluid balance [Gisolfi et al].  Additionally,  they 
provide ready energy.

 Beth Glace, MS
Research Associate
Sports Nutritionist
Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma
Lenox Hill Hospital
NY, NY