Which Water Works?
Leslie Cooperstein, competitive marathon runner and board- certified clinical nutritionist at the N.V. Perricone M.D. Flagship (791 Madison Ave., nr. 67th St.; 212-734-2537), weighs the claims of designer sports drinks.

(Photo: Courtesy of Gatorade)

Gatorade, Original Lemon-Lime
$1.29 at Gristedes, 25 University Pl., nr. 8th St.; 212-353-1330
It’s the most comprehensive. It’s got the electrolytes you lose the most, vitamins, and carbohydrates. When it comes to performance, it’s still the big boy in town.

(Photo: Courtesy of Function Drinks)

Function Drinks, Alternative Energy
$1.69 at Westside Market, 77 Seventh Ave., at 15th St.; 212-807-7771
The claim is that certain ingredients are time-released, providing six to eight hours of energy, but there’s no indication this formula can do that. And the vitamins are minimal. There is a small amount of sodium, which is good, but quite a bit of caffeine, which contributes to dehydration. Also, it tastes like rusty water.

(Photo: Courtesy of Vitamin Water)

Vitamin Water, Charge
$1.99 at Khim’s Millenium Market, 280 Bedford Ave., nr. 1st St., Williamsburg; 718-387-0063
It’s enjoyable to drink, which is key. It has a good amount of vitamin B and certain electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium) but, curiously, not sodium, one of the electrolytes people lose most when they sweat.

(Photo: Courtesy of O Water)

O Water, Mandarin Orange
$1.79 at Balducci’s, 81 W. 14th St., at Eighth Ave.; 212-741-3700
It’s a good way to get water into your body, but having no vitamins or carbohydrates whatsoever is a huge downside if you’re drinking it for performance.

Related:

• Archive: “Best Bets”
• Articles by Sarah Bernard
• Table of Contents: Nov 5, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!