---
title: "What Is Sports Drink? Heat Stress and Hydration Glossary"
description: "A sports drink is a flavored drink with water, electrolytes and usually sugar. NIOSH names sports drinks with balanced electrolytes for long, sweaty work in the..."
url: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/sports-drink
publisher: JMAR Solutions
phone: +1-214-632-7780
quote: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/contact
---

Product type

# Sports drink

A sports drink is a flavored drink with water, electrolytes and usually sugar. NIOSH names sports drinks with balanced electrolytes for long, sweaty work in the heat.

A sports drink is a ready-to-drink beverage with water, electrolytes and usually sugar. NIOSH says that when sweating lasts several hours, workers should drink sports drinks containing balanced electrolytes. It also advises avoiding drinks with high caffeine or sugar, so check the label.

Other formats exist, such as [powder packets](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte-powder-packet) and [liquid concentrates](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/liquid-electrolyte-concentrate). Each one delivers [electrolytes](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte). See [electrolyte drops vs sports drinks](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/compare/electrolyte-drops-vs-sports-drinks) for a full comparison. Pick the format by how your crew works, how long the shift runs and what they will actually drink. Rapid Restoration Drops are a dietary supplement with no sugar that replaces electrolytes lost in sweat.

[From JMAR SolutionsHydration programs and toolbox talks for crews](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/hydration-programs)

## Related terms

-   [Electrolyte](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte)
-   [Electrolyte powder packet](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte-powder-packet)
-   [Liquid electrolyte concentrate](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/liquid-electrolyte-concentrate)
-   [Oral rehydration solution](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/oral-rehydration-solution)
-   [Hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration)

## Sources

1.  [CDC NIOSH: Heat Stress Workplace Recommendations](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/recommendations/index.html)
2.  [CDC NIOSH: Heat Stress Workplace Recommendations](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/recommendations/index.html)

![Ironworkers silhouetted on a steel frame against a hot orange sunset](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/_astro/sunset-steel.IhAMDca0_6wk53.webp)

## See it on your crew in 15 minutes

Jennifer walks your safety team through the drops, the protocol and the numbers on a short live call.

[Book a 15-minute demo](https://calendly.com/jen-jmarsolutions/15-min-meeting)