Sports drinks are drinks used during exercise to delay the depletion of the body’s carbohydrate stores and the onset of dehydration (Mettleret al., 2006). Nigeria, a sport loving country import the only sport drinks available for athletes, in the place of Lucozade sport. In order to reduce importation of the drink as well as reduction of post-harvest losses of indigenous fruits, the development and production of sport drink from indigenous fruits needs to be investigated. Watermelon, dates fruitsand other ingredients were purchased and processed into sport drink, after which they were subjected to various analyses. Parameters such as mineral content, energy value, pH, sugar profile were determined using AOAC (2010). The results obtained compared favorably with the nutritional composition of Lucozade sport drink which was used as reference sample. Carbohydrate, sodium, potassium, energy, pH, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar values obtained are 45 mg/100ml, 19mg/100ml, 7.8%, 27Kcal, 3.75, 5.70 g/100ml and 2.10 g/100ml respectively.

Carbohydrate is the most important factor influencing the rate of gastric emptying of dehydration drinks (Vist and Maughan, 1995). The result obtained (7.8%) compared favorably with the reference sample (6-8%). Sodium plays a major role in water retention and enhancement of fluid ingestion (Rehner and Beckers, 1993). This helps the athlete to have a better rehydration (Shirreffset al., 1996). The value obtained (45 mg/100ml) is within the required range (44-48 mg/100ml). Potassium is required in sport drink to avoid muscle cramp and to maintain optimal muscle action (Brouns, 1993). The result obtained (19mg/100ml) compared favorably with the reference sample (14-19mg/100ml). This project is expected to be of enormous benefits to Nigeria by reducing importation of sport drinks as well as reduction of post-harvest losses of indigenous fruits.