The Oracle reviews the top three sports drinks available, and of course, bottled water.

Aquafina:

Calories per serving (8 oz.): 0

Price: $0.07 per oz.

Additives: none

Experts recommend drinking the amount in ounces equivalent to half your body weight daily. When you feel thirsty, you have already lost fluids and electrolytes and may be dehydrated. Do not substitute beverages with alcohol or caffeine for water. Light colored urine is a good indicator of hydration.

Vitamin Water (Revive):

Calories per serving (8 oz.): 50

Price: $0.06 per oz.

Additives: Vitamin B and Potassium

Vitamin Water has a very strange taste. Unlike most flavored water drinks, it is not overloaded with stereotypical sugary flavor, but rather has a fruit, sweet taste while maintaining the exact texture and feel of drinking water.

Powerade (Fruit Punch):

Calories per serving (8 oz.): 60

Price: $0.04 per oz.

Additives: Vitamin B, electrolytes, carbs

This drink is very sweet and doesn't really taste like any particular fruit. It brings to mind nostalgic memories of Hi-C Hawaiian Punch, but with a noticeable aftertaste. It tastes okay on account of the sugar, but leaves the mouth sticky afterwards.

Gatorade (Fruit Punch):

Calories per serving (8 oz.): 50

Price: $0.04 per oz.

Additives: electrolytes, carbs

The Gatorade Fruit Punch drink tastes a little bit more subtle than the Powerade, with a less sticky sensation in the mouth. That said, it is still very sweet, but not nearly as fruity. Gatorade contains twice as much sodium than Powerade, which probably causes the improved flavor.

Dehydration symptoms:

Sweat loss reduces blood volume and increases the concentration of sodium in the blood. This stresses the cardiovascular system and contributes to a considerable increase in body temperature. Symptoms include nausea, dry mouth and nose, muscle cramps and dizziness.