Gatorade has been around since the summer of 1965, when researchers developed a scientifically formulated beverage for the University of Florida Gators football team. Gatorade Fruit Punch and other Gatorade products have since received a face lift and are marketed under the "G Series," which appeal to professional athletes and physically active consumers. The nutrition label information for Gatorade Fruit Punch tells you what nutrients in the beverage offer you the best benefits, given your needs.
About Nutrition Labels
The nutrition label on Gatorade Fruit Punch provides the dietary information you need to know about the product, including the vital nutrients it contains, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. When you read nutrition labels, it's important to pay attention to what constitutes a serving size. A single serving of Gatorade Fruit Punch is 8 oz. -- a single cup. Nutrients you typically wish to avoid -- such as saturated and trans fats and cholesterol -- are also listed on the nutrition label, as well as the percent of your Daily Value, or DV, you get from the nutrients based on a 2,000-calorie diet. When glancing at the "percent Daily Value" column on Gatorade Fruit punch, keep in mind that 5 percent or less is considered a low amount while 20 percent or more is considered high.
Gatorade Fruit Punch
A single 1-cup serving of Gatorade Fruit Punch contains 50 calories, none of which come from fat or cholesterol. It also contains 110 mg of sodium and 30 mg potassium, which give you 5 and 1 percent of your DV, respectively. Sodium and potassium are minerals that function as electrolytes, which play an important role in keeping your body fluids in balance. The total number of carbohydrates in a serving of Gatorade Fruit Punch is 14 g, all of which come from sugars, giving you 6 percent of your DV. Gatorade also offers a powdered drink product that can be mixed with water; this beverage gives you slightly less sodium than the prepared bottled drink -- 100 mg or 4 percent of your DV.
Low Calorie Option
Gatorade Fruit Punch also offers a low-calorie version of the original beverage. A 1-cup serving of low-calorie Gatorade contains 20 calories, less than half the amount found in the original Gatorade. Nutritionally, the low-calorie and original version contain the same amount of sodium and potassium; however, low-calorie Gatorade Fruit Punch contains only 5 g carbohydrates, all of which come from sugars or 2 percent of your DV.
Other Information
Whenever you engage in physical exertion, electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, chloride and calcium exit your body through your sweat. Sports drinks such as Gatorade Fruit Punch may be helpful to restore your electrolytes to a healthy balance, especially if you've been exercising for longer than an hour, according to MayoClinic.Com. The carbohydrates in the drink give you energy and the sodium helps your body rehydrate. The clinic states that drinking sports drinks like Gatorade Fruit Punch are also helpful if you experience heat exhaustion or exercise-induced dehydration.
Tips
Although Gatorade Fruit Punch can be beneficial, MayoClinic.Com states that the best way to stay hydrated during physical activity is to drink plain water -- enough to replace what you lost during the course of the day and even more whenever temperatures are hot and humidity is high. Drink 2 to 3 cups of water before you start exercising and the same amount after you wind down for every pound of weight you lose during the course of physical activity. MayoClinic.Com also suggests drinking a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes while you're working out.
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