GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) We've all been told we need to make sure to drink plenty of fluids when temperatures soar and we begin to sweat. But does it matter what we drink? Is anything really better than anything else?
Sort of, says one local expert. "The key is to stay hydrated," says Dr. Ed Kornoelje, director of sports medicine at Metro Health. "Water's going to do that as well as anything else. (Sports drinks) have electrolytes so if you're sweating a lot, you're sweating sodium away and you're going to replenish that with a sports drink."
But plenty of other beverages are also completely appropriate to use to stay hydrated depending on your tastes. Juices, iced tea, soft drinks and milk are all fine alternatives in the summer heat. And Kornoelje says chocolate milk might be one of the best things you can give your body. "It has an almost ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein for a replenishment drink so if you're mowing the lawn or you went for a run or a bike ride, get some chocolate milk and drink that because you're getting energy back and you're getting protein to restore the muscles that you may have damaged when you're out doing physical activity."
One beverage Kornoelje advises against is so-called "energy drinks" that are full of stimulants. Your body's cardiovascular system if working harder to keep your body cool and the stimulants make it work extra hard.