A Short History of the Evolution of Sports Drinks

Centuries ago, athletes prepared for a race by drinking wine with vinegar

- Pulasta Dhar

It would be almost unthinkable nowadays to consume salted and diluted wine ahead of an athletic event. And yet, a mixture of wine and vinegar was one of the first attempts to create a sports drink. It was a potion that evolved from a more rudimentary mixture of water, herbs and honey. An even older form of performance drink was apparently a suggestion from Galen, an ancient Greek physician in the 2nd-3rd century CE. His formula was to eat dates and a plant-ash solution.

It all sounds unbelievable today with electrolytes and IV drips and minerals like potassium, magnesium and zinc available as pills, soluble powders and even gels. Some might say things have gone a little too over the top these days with so many choices that it's tough to know what is good for you and what is just a glorified version of salts and sugars in water.