Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children water bottle next to sports drinks

Jun 02, 2016 / Sports Medicine

Sports Drinks: Know When and How Much

In most situations, water is the best choice for hydrating young athletes.

Sports drinks are only recommended when participating in activities:

  • In very hot or humid environments.
  • With high intensity for longer than 60 minutes.
  • Sports camps, tournaments and double-headers.

When water isn’t enough, reach for a sports drink with a good mix of water, electrolytes and carbohydrates. For many young athletes, 30-60 grams of carbohydrates in an hour is all they need. You can find this information on any standard nutrition label. Otherwise, stick with water, start early and drink often.

To learn more about pediatric sports medicine at Scottish Rite Hospital, visit our Sports Medicine page

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