There is growing concern among public health advocates that traditional sports drinks contain as much as two-thirds the sugar of sodas. A report from the University of California, Berkeley, warns that students who drink one 20 oz sports drink per day may gain an average of 13 pounds annually, due to the high sugar content of these beverages. Nutritionists also warn of excessive salt consumption. A 20-ounce bottle of the leading sports drink contains approximately 275 milligrams of sodium, almost 12 percent of the recommended daily allowance for people ages 14 to 18. Already, more than 75 percent of children consume more than the recommended 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day, according to the Institute of Medicine. By comparison, Trace⁴⁴ contains less than half the sugar (and therefore calories) and less than 1/3 the sodium of traditional sports drinks. Trace⁴⁴ also uses fructose (fruit sugar) as a sweetener rather than sucrose (table sugar). Fructose has a glycemic index of 20, compared with 59 for sucrose. Substituting low glycemic index carbohydrates, especially in beverages, can improve blood sugar regulation, reduce insulin release, aid in weight loss, and keep energy levels stronger and for longer.

Beyond having decreased levels of sodium and superior sugars, Trace⁴⁴ improves on the competition by offering 44 of nature’s finest health and energy optimizing organic trace minerals. The use of these trace minerals also distinguishes this product as a more natural option to industry-standard products, without compromising the intention of a performance-enhancing sports drink. One of the main features of traditional sports drinks is that their sugars and electrolytes increase the rate of absorption in the small intestine relative to water. They therefore act as aids to hydration and ion-replacement during strenuous exercise. An inadequate spectrum of minerals in traditional sports drinks (typically limited to sodium and potassium), however, does not compensate for the minerals lost in sweat. Table 1 presents some of the typical minerals found in sweat, concentrations, dietary intakes, and potential deficiencies.