Bananas vs Sports Drinks

For my longer races I've done I previously never even touched gels. Just half a banana at every other aid station. Started using gels recently as it's hard to carry bananas on runs.

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the scientists found that cyclists performed better during a strenuous bike ride if they had either a banana or a sports drink compared to only water. They also developed lower levels of inflammation in their bodies afterward.

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This took a scientist to figure out? I thought this was common knowledge...

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Just drink water...no need for a sports drink

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That's silly

If I did some of the long bikes or triathlons I do with only water, I'd bonk so hard it's not funny. I could drink plain water and have food and salt tablets for hydration maintenance. So I guess you are correct on that. But without a doubt you need electrolytes and calories. Cheap sports drinks dont provide the best calories since they basically use sugar. But I use a product called Infinit Go Far right now. Drink mix that contains all my calories and enough electrolytes for me (can actually custom adjust of you are a salty sweater). I can get enough mix into 2 bottles to last 6 hours. Otherwise I'd have to carry bottles of water, plus like 18 bananas. I still drink water, but you need more than water.

To play a basketball game, workout at the gym, or run a 5k.....you dont need sports drink. Your body supposedly keeps around 1800 calories of glycogen. But if you tap into that and deplete it, you are going to need some calories. So about 2+ hours of moderate to above moderate cardio is going to require something more than water.

I hate belching bananas

I like Powerade zero

coconut water