[Billcat]

As far as the "more hydrating than water" claims are concerned, there certainly are certain things you can add to water to help the body to rehydrate more quickly and use the water in the beverage more effectively. Before I go any further, I would like to say that for most of use, water will do the job just fine and at far lower cost (and without the artificial flavors and colors made with god-only-knows-what chemicals).

BUT - there are certain cases where these "sports beverages" (as they are called here in the US) are appropriately used. Anyone involved in sporting activities like football (US or UK), long-distance running or cycling will probably benefit. Last year, during the Tour de France, I heard a sports medecine specialist and personal trainer discussing the use of these beverages. In those cases, more than just plain water is needed in order to maintain performance at a competitive level.

Like I said, most of us don't need them. But the companies that manufacture them know an opportunity to make big bucks when they see one, and they know very well that the combination of 1) a sickly sweet, biliously greed container of Gatorade and 2) endorsement by top atheletes is likely to provide some very sweet returns.

Just as an FYI, when they rehydrate by mouth infants who are dehydrated, plain water is rarely if ever the beverage of choice. They too, need some of those additives.

Let's see. Take some good water, add malt extract, hops and yeast, allow it to work and you might come up with a beverage worth drinking. Like I said, most of us don't need it, but......