Gatorade is a type of sports drink and electrolyte-replacement beverage that contains water, sugar, flavor and electrolytes. Gatorade is marketed as a "thirst quencher," which means it should satisfy your thirst and rehydrate your body. Most people need about eight cups of water each day to replace fluids lost through perspiration, going to the bathroom, and breathing. Gatorade has calories, however, which means unless you are engaged in strenuous exercise, regular consumption of this beverage may lead to excess weight gain.
History
Gatorade was invented by staff of the University of Florida Gator football team who wanted to help the players replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Since then, it has been marketed as the drink of choice by many professional sports teams, and received numerous endorsements by famous athletes. Today, Gatorade has branched out into different lines of drinks as well as protein-rich snack bars.
Nutrition Facts
Gatorade sports drink is sold in bottles of varying size ranging from 20 oz. to 32 oz. The nutrition information is based on an 8-oz serving. The serving of Gatorade has 50 calories, including 13 g sugar. This 8-oz. serving also contains 110 mg sodium and 30 mg potassium. Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that are lost primarily through perspiration.
Ingredients
The precise recipe and flavoring agents used by Gatorade remain a trade secret. The ingredients listed on a bottle of Gatorade include water, sucrose, dextrose, citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, calcium silicate, food starch, and yellow 5 for coloring.
Recommendations
Gatorade, like other electrolyte-replacement beverages, have a place in an active lifestyle. If you are engaging in strenuous aerobic exercise lasting 60 minutes or more, your body needs calories and electrolytes to keep working. If you are engaging in less strenuous exercise for less than 60 minutes, plain drinking water is probably all you need. The sugar and calories in Gatorade can add up. A 32-oz bottle of Gatorade contains 56 g or 14 tsp. of sugar.
Variety
Gatorade sports drink is sold around the world. Gatorade sells bottled drinks in two series: The G Series and Gatorade Natural. Each series has a corresponding line of drinks. The G Series includes pre-game, in the game and post-game drink beverages, each containing different nutrients. Gatorade Natural is simpler, containing only two types of beverage. Gatorade also sells a line of food products known as G Series Pro.
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