Fruit Juice, Soft Drink,
Carbonated Mineral Water Drink,
Ion Supply Drink,
Sport Drink / Isotonic Drink,
Energy Drink.
Different concepts for different purposes!!!
Soft Water and Hard Water:
Soft water is treated water in which sodium [Na+] is the only ion, soft water is not for drinking, is neither healthy nor desirable for drinking, we should not drink soft water.
Hard water is water that contains a big quantity of dissolved minerals, like calcium [Ca2+] and magnesium [Mg2+], calcium and magnesium are two minerals which make water hard, calcium is essential in our diet.
Water hardness is measured either in grains per gallon [GPG] or as calcium hardness in milligrams per liter [mg / l] or parts per million [ppm]. GPG is based on calcium hardness, equivalent to calcium hardness ppm, divides by 17.2.
- soft or slightly hard water…...........<3.5>
- moderately hard water……….........3.5 to 10.5 GPG;
- very hard water:……….....…….>10.5 GPG.
The human body’s mineral content and the human’s sweat mineral content:
The human body's mineral content: in most cases is an optimal level of minerals [macro minerals and micro minerals] that must be present in the body in their correct balance, excessive consumption as well as deficiency of minerals is generally undesirable.
The human body’s mineral content are as the followings:
- Macrominerals [essential]:
· Sodium……….1.37 gram / liter [ 0.137 %],
· Potassium……3.42 gram / liter [ 0.342 %],
· Calcium……..16.70 gram / liter [ 1.670 %],
· Magnesium….0.53 gram / liter [ 0.053 %],
· Silicon………..0.46 gram / liter [ 0.046 %].
- Microminerals: Iron 0,00638 %, Zinc 0,00365 %, Lead 0.000243 %, Copper 0.000 137 %, Chromium 0.0000091 %, Nickel 0.0000167 %, Aluminium 0.0000988 %, Cadminum 0.0000608 %, Barium 0.0000344 %, Cobalt 0.0000304 %, Vanadium 0.0000304 %, Tin 0.0000228 %, Selenium 0.0000228 %, Arsenic 0.0000228 %, Manganese 0.0000198, Mercury 0.0000190 %, Molybdenum 0.0000122 %, Bismuth 0.0000045 %, Lithium 0.00000, Uranium 90 mcg.
When we exercise, many of the minerals contained in our body are either burnt up or excreted through perspiration / sweating, an isotonic drink help fill again / replenish these lost minerals as well as topping up our energy levels, isotonic drink is essentially just water, minerals and glucose [sugar] with some added vitamins, the glucose will give us an energy boost.
Human sweat contains mainly water, but it also contains minerals, as well as lactate and urea, mineral composition will vary with the individual, the acclimatization to heat, exercise, sweating, the duration of sweating, and the composition of minerals in the body, the human sweat’s minerals content are as follows:
- Sodium........... 0.9000 gram / liter [0.090 %],
- Potassium……0.2000 gram / liter [0.020 %],
- Calcium…….. 0.0150 gram / liter [0.150 %],
- Magnesium…. 0.0013 gram / liter [0.013 %].
many other trace elements are excreted in sweat: Iron 1.0 mg / liter, Zinc 0.4 mg / liter, Lead 0.05 mg / liter, Copper 0.3 - 0.8 mg / liter, Chromium 0.1 mg / liter, Nickel 0.05 mg / liter, humans sweat is hypo-osmotic relative to plasma.
Fruit juices / Fruit beverages:
Fruit juices are nutritious beverages that have been enjoyed by adults and children for decades. 100% fruit juices can play an important role in a healthy diet because they offer great taste and a variety of nutrients found naturally in fruits. These juices are fat-free, high nutrients, rich in vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phyto-nutrients that contribute to good health.
Drinking 100% Fruit juice is associated with lower risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome: if we enjoy a glass of 100% fruit juice as part of our daily routine, chances are we also have fewer risk factors for several chronic diseases when compared to other non juice-drinking persons of the same age [ peers]. New research presented today at the Experimental Biology (EB) 2009 meeting highlights this association among adult men and women, with evidence showing that 100% fruit juice drinkers were thin and healthy [leaner], had better insulin sensitivity and had lower risk for obesity and metabolic syndromes, a cluster of conditions that increases risk for stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
Beverages with high phytochemicals / phytonutrient values:
Vitamin C, Antioxidants, flavanoids, phytoferols etc.
Pomegranate juice......[Punica granatum, family Lythraceae]
Concord grape juice...[Citrus paradise, family Rutaceae]
Pineapple juice……...[Ananas comosus, family Bromeliaceae]
Cranberry juice……. [Vaccinum oxycoccos, family Ericaceae]
Guajava juice ………[Psidium domentorum, family Myrtaceae]
Banana juice………. [Musa paradisiacal, family Musaceae]
Watermelon juice…...[Citrullus lanatus, family Cucurbitaceae]
Annona juice………..[Annona squamosa, family Annonaceae]
Blackberry juice…….[Robus argatus, family Rosaceae]
Avocado juice……....[Persea americana, family Sapotaceae]
Melon juice………....[Cucumis melo, family Cucurbitaceae]
Apple juice…………[Malus domestica, family Rosaceae]
Orange juice……… .[Citrus sinensis, family Rutaceae]
Tomato juice……….[Solanum lycopersicum, family Solanaceae]
Blueberry juice……..[Vaccinum angustifolium, family Ericaceae]
Red wine juice……..[Vitis vinifera, family Vitaceae]
Starfruit juice............[Averrhoa carambola, family Oxalidaceae]
Non Carbonated Natural Mineral Water,
Carbonated Mineral Water, Soft Drinks:
Non Carbonated Natural Mineral Water:
Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts, fruits of the coconut palm [Cocos nucifera, family Palmae], coconut water has long been a popular drink in the tropics, especially in tropical Asia, Central America like Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and other Caribbean islands, where it is available fresh [young fresh nuts] or bottled or in Tetra Paks containers, they call it Agua de pipa, and marketed as a sports drink because of its high potassium and mineral content, it is naturally fat-free and low in food energy [16.7 calories or 70 kilojoules per 100 grams], coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood, it's the fluid of life, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict, as a matter of fact, regularly used coconut water siphoned directly from the nut, to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.
Water…………….95.50 %
Nitrogen…………...0.05 %
Phosphoric acid……0.56 %
Potassium………….0.25 %
Calcium oxide……...0.69 %
Magnesium oxide…..0.59 %
Iron………………..0.50 mg /100g
Total solids………...4.71 mg /100g
Reducing sugars……0.80 mg /100g
Total sugars………..2.08 mg /100g
Ash………………..0.62 mg /100g
[Source: Pandalai, K. M. (1958). Coconut water and its uses. Coconut Bull. 12, No. 5, 167-173]
Coconut water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure and sterile, full of natural sugars, minerals / salts, and vitamins to keep away fatigue, according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization [FAO]:
- coconut water contains more potassium, at about 294 mg / 100 ml than most sports drinks [117 mg / 100ml] and most energy drinks.
- coconut water has less sodium, 25 mg / 100 ml, where sports drinks have around 41 mg / 100 ml and energy drinks have about 200 mg / 100 ml
- coconut water has 5 mg / 100 ml of natural sugars, where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25 mg / 100 ml of altered sugars.
- coconut water is very high in chloride at 118 mg / 100 ml, compared to sports drinks at about 39 mg / 100 ml.
The Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] recommended the young coconut juice as the natural rehydration liquid and the energetic drink, was suitable for anyone especially the athletes and they who had the quite high activities, FAO recommended that the young coconut juice was patented and marketed in the package without reduced its content of electrolytes, glucose, protein and vitamins, traditionally, coconut water freshly taken from young coconut nut can also be used as an antidote / a substance that acts against the effects of a poison such as food poisoning.
Sample of Coconut Water Drink in Tetra Paks container: Fatigon Hydro+ Natural Health Drink, contains each 250 ml: sodium 110 mg, kalium 270 mg, magnesium 14 mg, kalsium 12 mg, vitamin C 20 mg, vitamin B3 4 mg, vitamin B5 2 mg, vitamin B6 1 mg.
Carbonated Mineral Water / Soda Water:
Water with few minerals is described as being soft water, mineral water can be prepared or can occur naturally, mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, salts, sulfur compounds, and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the water, mineral water can often be effervescent, in many places, mineral water also means carbonated water, usually carbonated mineral water, traditionally mineral waters would be used or consumed at their source, the U.S. FDA classifies mineral water as water containing at least 250 ppm [parts per million] total dissolved solids [TDS], and also is water coming from a source tapped at one or more bore holes or spring, originating from a geologically and physically protected underground water source, no minerals may be added to this water.
Soft Drinks are beverages which are labeled as sparkling water / seltzer water / fizzy water [1] / soda water / tonic water, or club soda, they do not contain alcohol, in contrast are the hard drinks / alcoholic drinks, soft drinks like soda, soda pop, coke, are called carbonated soft drinks / fizzy drinks / beverages having small bubbles of gas in the drinks. another beverages that also belong to soft drinks are flavored water, iced tea, sweet tea, lemonade, squash, and fruit punch, conversely, beverages which do not classified as soft drinks are: hot chocolate, hot tea, coffee, milk, tap water, fruit juice and milkshakes.
Health effect of carbonated soft drinks: carbonated soft drinks are bad for our teeth because plaque bacteria act upon the sugars in the drinks, leading to tooth decay, moreover, regular drinking of carbonated soft drinks, even the sugar-free varieties, can add considerably to the amount of dental erosion because these drinks are just a solution of carbonic acid [HCO3], these acidic drinks tend to affect our body's pH level, so that the body will need to neutralize this effect using its stores of calcium, if we are not getting enough calcium in our diet, osteoporosis may develop.
Samples of Soft Drinks: Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coke. Gatorade thirst quencher.
[1]. Fizzy Water / Fizzy Drinks [effervescent]: CO2 gas is forced into the drink at low temperatures under pressure, it dissolves quite well, then the drink is kept under pressure by the closed container, when we open it, the pressure that keeps the bubbles dissolved into the drink goes away, forming the fizz [hissing sound], when the drink is left for too long once that pressure is removed, the CO2 gas all escapes the liquid, it becomes a flat drink liquid.
Despite using CO2 gas, CO2 gas in carbonated soft drink can be made from chemical reaction of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid: NaHCO3 + 3C6H8O7 è 3H2O + 3CO2 + Na3C6H5O7
Sport Drinks: Hypotonic Drinks, Isotonic Drinks,
Hypertonic Drinks, Ion Supply Drinks.
Electrolytes are commonly found in sports drinks, and in oral rehydration therapy [ORT] - see below additional note [2], electrolyte drinks containing sodium and potassium salts replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after dehydration caused by exercise, diarrhea, vomiting, intoxication or starvation, some sources state that more than sixteen minerals called dietary minerals, are required to support human biochemical processes by serving structural and functional roles as well as electrolytes functions, they are:
Sodium [Na]……......RDA / AI: 1500 mg
Potassium [K]……....RDA / AI: 4700 mg
Calcium [Ca].............RDA / AI: 1000 mg
Magnesium [Mg].......RDA / AI: 420 mg
Zinc [ Zn]..................RDA / AI: 11 mg [trace]
Ion [Fe].....................RDA / AI: 8 mg [trace]
Manganese [Mn].......RDA / AI 2,3 mg [trace]
Copper [Cu].............RDA / AI: 900 μg [trace]
Selenium [Se]……....RDA / AI: 55 μg [trace]
Molybdenum [Mo]....RDA / AI: 45 μg [trace]
Iodine [J2]……….....RDA / AI: 150 μg [trace]
Chloride [Cl-]…........RDA / AI: 2300 mg
Phosphorus [P].........RDA / AI: 700 mg
Other trace elements: cobalt, nickel, chromium, floride, sulfur, arsenic, boron, bromine, cadmium, silicon, tungsten, vanadium.
- Hypotonic drinks are dilute carbohydrate electrolyte solutions which are less concentrated than body fluids and are therefore rapidly absorbed by the body. they begin the rehydration process while simultaneously helping to replenish carbohydrate energy reserves.
- Isotonic drinks have a similar carbohydrate and electrolyte concentration to the body's own fluids, they are best used later in the recovery process to boost energy intake while still encouraging fluid uptake during the final stages of rehydration. an isotonic drink is a sport drink whose osmolarity[3] is between 250 mosm / liter to 340 mosm / liter.
[3]. osmolarity is the concentration of particles in the blood, the similar concentration of particles in the isotonic drink to what is found in the bloodstream, the human body has an average osmorality of 250 mosm / liter to 340 mosm / liter, so that its absorption will be faster and will require less extra energy from the body for its assimilation.
- Hypertonic drinks are solutions with a higher carbohydrate and electrolyte concentration than the body fluids, in general these types of drinks contain large amounts of carbohydrate and are therefore best used as energy supplements during periods of heavy training, when energy expenditure is likely to be high, if we prefer to drink water alone [plain water] after exercise, it is impossible to achieve adequate rehydration, so solid food which replaces lost of the carbohydrates and electrolytes should be consumed at the same time, but if this is not possible, some form of electrolyte solution is essential to be consumed like hypertonic drinks.
But this does not mean we should never drink water after exercise, we need to take account of our levels of fluid and electrolyte losses, where losses are high and large volumes of fluid need to be consumed in a short period, it is important to consume sodium in combination with carbohydrate and water,
Glucose is a carbohydrate which is stored as glucose in the liver and muscles and is the most efficient source of energy as it requires less oxygen to be burnt than either protein or fat, during exercise, there is in an increased uptake of blood glucose by the muscles, to prevent blood glucose levels falling down, the liver produces glucose from the body carbohydrate stores [glycogen], during hard exercise, carbohydrate can be depleted at a rate of 3-4 grams per minute, if this is sustained for 2 hours or more, a very large fraction of the total body carbohydrate stores will be exhausted and if not to be replaced will result in reduced performance, for complete recovery of the muscle and liver glycogen stores after exercise will normally require 24-48 hours, consuming carbohydrate before, during and after exercise will help prevent blood glucose levels falling too low and help maintain the body's glycogen stores, many athletes cannot consume food before or during exercise and therefore a formulated sport drinks / isotonic drinks that will provide carbohydrate is required.
Samples of Sport Drink: Powerade Sport, Pocari Sweat Isotonic Drink .
Samples of Ion Supply Drinks: Pocari Sweat Ion Supply Drink, Fatigon Hydro+ Natural Health Drink.
Energy Drinks :
Energy drinks are soft drinks that provide energy to improve all sorts of physical activity of the drinker, these drinks are designed to increase the drinker's mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, amino-acids, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect, the central ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine, energy drinks do not provide food energy [in calories], generally, energy drinks contain amino-acid taurine [effective substance taurine is the fundamental substance of energy drinks], caffeine, vitamin-B groups [B3, B5, B6, B12], other amino-acids like lysine, choline, carnitine, polysccharides like inulins, inositol, and herbs like ginseng [Panax ginseng, family Araliaceae], ginkgo biloba [Ginkgo biloba, family Ginkgoaceae], and sugar / glucose, royal jelly / honey bees [Apis florea, family Apidae] consumption of a single dose energy beverage will not lead to excessive caffeine intake; but consumption of two or more doses of energy beverages in a single day should be cautioned of excessive caffeine intake.
Caffeine [a xanthine derivative]:
Caffeine that belongs to xanthine derivatives, is naturally found in certain leaves, seeds, and fruits of over 60 plants worldwide, the most common sources in the diet are coffee [Coffea arabica / Rubiaceae], tea leaves [Camellia sinensis / Theaceae], cocoa beans [Theobroma cacao / Malvaceae], cola [Cola acuminate / Sterculiaceae], caffeine is the common name for 1,3,7-trimethyl-xanthine, a white powder with intensely bitter taste, will provide a distinctive taste in soft drinks, after ingesting caffeine, it is completely absorbed within 30 to 45 minutes, and its effects substantially diminish within about three hours, it is eventually excreted, so there is no accumulation in the body, caffeine has been shown to affect mood, stamina, the cerebral vascular system, gastric and colonic activity.
Health effect of xanthine containing beverages:
Xanthine containing beverages are widely consumed, have a mild stimulant effect on the central nerves system [CNS], the adverse effects of xanthine containing beverages are due to their caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine content, common adverse effects are: sleeplessness, anxiety, tremor, palpitations, and withdrawal headache.
Taurine [a semi-essential amino acid]:
Taurine is semi-essential amino acid, it plays an important role in metabolism, it is nerve function stimulant and accelerator of nerve air transfer, as the stimulator of brain function, it helps to clear away tiredness, improves / increases concentration and movement coordination, improves psychical resistance and stress toleration, it keeps away fatigue, takes away the feeling of exhaustion, taurine is found in the heart muscle, white blood cells, central nerve system, and skeletal muscle, however, when not enough is made in the body, such as during strong exercises, the deficiency can be corrected by supplementation with for example an energy drink.
Inositol [an isomer of glucose]:
Inositol is an isomer of glucose, has traditionally been considered to be vitamin-B substance although it has an uncertain status as a vitamin, deficiency syndrome has not been identified in human, sources of inositol include whole-grain cereals, fruit, and plants, in which it occurs as the hexaphosphate, fytic acid, it also occurs in both vegetables and meats in other forms, the usual daily intake of inositol from the diet is about 1 gram, inositol is an ingredient of numerous vitamin preparations and dietary supplements, inositol is not considered a vitamin itself because it can be synthesised by the body.
Inulins [a polysaccharide / considered to be a fiber]:
Inulins are a group of naturally occurring polysaccharides produced by many types of plants, such as from the tubers of Dahlia variabilis, Helianthus tuberosus, and other genera of the family Compositae, they belong to a class of fibers known as fructans, inulin is used by some plants as a means of storing energy and is typically found in roots or rhizomes, most plants which synthesize and store inulins do not store other materials such as starch, inulin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, it is considered to be a fiber, it is a soluble fiber as opposed to cellulose which is an insoluble fiber.
Choline bitartrate [an amino acid]:
Choline is acetylcholine precursor, it involves in lipid metabolism and acts as a methyl donor in various other metabolic process, choline has traditionally been considered to be a vitamin-B substance although its functions do not justify its classification as a vitamin, choline can be synthesized in the body, sources of choline, which occurs mostly as lecithin include egg-yolk and vegetable and animal fat.
Lysine [an amino acid]:
Lysine is a basic amino acid that is an essential constituent of the diet, lysine acetate and lysine hydrochloride are used as dietary supplements.
Carnitine [a quaternary ammonium compound / a non-essential amino acid]:
Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine, carnitine is a non-essential amino acid, is found in nearly all cells of the body, in living cells, carnitine is an essential co-factor of fatty acid metabolism, in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids / fats for the generation of metabolic energy, carnitine plays a critical role in energy production, it transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be oxidized / burned to produce energy, it also transports the toxic compounds generated out of this cellular to prevent their accumulation, carnitine is concentrated in tissues like skeletal and cardiac muscle that utilize fatty acids as a dietary fuel, the body makes sufficient carnitine as needed.
L-Carnitine is used for body-building supplement:
L-Carnitine is very similar to the non-essential amino acid carnitine and performs the same functions such as helping to metabolize food into energy, L-Carnitine is an important body-building supplement [in synthetic form] capable of generating a handful of benefits to the muscles and body in general, in its natural form L-carnitine is found in red meat and dairy products.
Sample of Energy Drinks: Kratingdaeng Energy Drink, Kratingdaeng-S Energy Drink, Hemaviton Energy Drink, M-150 Energy Drink,
Additional Note:
[2] Oral Rehydration Therapy [ORT] & Oral Rehydration Salts [ORS]:
Similar but not the same with sport drinks / ion supply drinks are anti diarrhea re-hydration powders / oral rehydration salts, which are used as main / prime treatment for diarrhea patients to prevent from dehydration, these preparations belong to over the counter medicinal products [OTC-pharmaceuticals], sample of the anti diarrhea re-hydration formulas are as the followings:
Anti-diarrhea Rehydration Powder 1 = Oral Rehydration Salt / ORS-Bicarbonate
Anti-diarrhes Rehydration Powder 2 = Oral Rehydration Salt / ORS-Citrate
A joint WHO/UNICEF statement.
The management of diarrhoea and use of oral rehydration therapy[ORT].
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