What are they exactly?

Sports drinks are usually a mixture of carbohydrates and electrolytes. The carbos for energy and the electrolytes (sodium and potassium) for maintaining a fluid balance. A drink that has too much of either carbohydrates or electrolytes will hinder the fluid absorption; that is why sports drinks are usually more dilute than juices or soda. Sports drinks have an added benefit over water, they both hydrate AND energize you!

When do I need them? Will they help?

If your workout is longer than an hour, a sports drink WILL help you. In fact, drinks that contain sodium are actually recommended for those long workouts. For shorter workouts, a sports drink won't hurt you, but it probably won't help you much either.

Things to think about: -

Vitamin B:There's been a recent study of sports drinks and the researchers found that drinks with added B vitamins are even more beneficial during exercise. The B vitamins (Thiamine, Niacin, B6, Panotothenic Acid and B12) help with energy metabolism and circulation.

All Sport is the first to add these vitamins to their drinks.

FLAVORS!!! It's been proven that people prefer and will drink more of a flavored drink than of just plain water.