Carbohydrates
Most sports drinks contain carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars. For athletes exercising longer than 90 minutes, these carbohydrates absorb quickly and convert readily into fuel. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade, are considered "isotonic," meaning they contain a 6 to 8 percent carbohydrate solution. This percentage of carbs maximizes fluid absorption and energy conversion because their concentration of salt and sugar is comparable to that found in the human body, notes the website Diabetes.co.uk. A study published in the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" in 2014 showed that isotonic drinks improve the body's ability to oxidize, or break down, carbohydrates during exercise, thus potentially enhancing performance. Sports drinks with 1 to 3 percent carbohydrates provide less energy, but do help with fluid absorption. Drinks that contain more than 10 percent carbohydrates, including soda and some energy drinks, may cause digestive distress and slow your rate of rehydration.