The Effects of Drinking Too Much Gatorade

According to Vanderbilt University, sports drinks like Gatorade are a good idea if you exercise heavily and sweat profusely. As you sweat, you lose fluids, which can lead to dehydration. Gatorade is made with a mix of electrolytes, sugars and water. The mix can help rehydrate your body faster than just drinking plain water. But drinking too much Gatorade can cause problems, especially if your body is not losing as much fluid as you're putting back into it.

Weight Gain

According to Calorie Gallery, a 16-oz. bottle of Cool Blue Gatorade contains 100 calories. If you drink one bottle a day, you'll be consuming an extra 700 calories per week. MayoClinic.com says that 3,500 calories equals a pound. Drinking a bottle of Gatorade a day will result in a weight gain of almost 1/2 lb. every two weeks.

Increased Blood Pressure

If you're on a low-sodium diet, Gatorade might be bad for you. A bottle of Cool Blue Gatorade contains 534mg of sodium, which is almost 28 percent of your daily requirements. If you follow an intense exercise routine, the sodium in Gatorade can help your body regain the salt lost through perspiration. However, if you consume too much sodium without exercising or if you're only following a light exercise routine, your sodium levels might increase to dangerous levels.

Tooth Decay

According to Leslie A. Ehlen, a researcher from the University of Iowa School of Dentistry, Gatorade might be worse for your teeth than soft drinks. Not only is Gatorade high in sugar, but it's also corrosive, so it can damage the enamel of the teeth.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Lochridge Last updated on: Dec 6, 2010

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