Gatorade is made from little more than artificial color, natural and artificial flavors, sugar and water. The makers of Gatorade claim that the carbohydrate content of the product is optimized for appealing taste and rapid absorption from the stomach. The company claims that these attributes help enhance performance in sports. If this is true, a sugar water solution would serve the same purpose at a lower cost.
Calories and Fat
Eight ounces of regular fruit-flavored Gatorade supplies 63 calories. A low calorie version of this product called "G2" has only 25 calories in an 8 oz. serving. Both varieties have no fat. Regardless of whether you drink the regular or G-2 version of Gatorade, this product won't derail your efforts to maintain a healthy weight if enjoyed in moderation. Neither version will fill you up as they both have 0 g of fiber.
Sodium
An 8 oz. serving of regular fruit-favored Gatorade has only 95 mg of sodium. The low-calorie version has 110 mg sodium. The sodium content of both regular Gatorade and G-2 is roughly comparable to the 103 mg found in 8 oz. of nonfat milk. Dietary sodium increases blood pressure. For this reason, the American Heart Association recommends that everyone limit daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day. The sodium content of regular and low calorie Gatorade is 6.3 and 7.3 percent of this recommended amount.
Vitamins and Minerals
Neither the regular or low calorie version of Gatorade offers much in way of nutrients. Neither product satisfies even 2 percent of the daily requirements of calcium, iron, vitamin A or vitamin C. The only mineral that occurs in any quantity worth noting is fluoride, which indicates that the product is made from fluoridated water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that in 2008, 72.4 percent of Americans had access to optimally fluoridated water.
Potassium and Phosphorus
Low levels of potassium and phosphorus -- 24 and 37 mg, respectively -- in an 8 oz. serving of Gatorade mean that patients with advanced kidney disease, who must restrict their levels of these minerals, can enjoy it. These patients often find it difficult to restrict intake of these minerals because both are found almost everywhere.
References
- LIVESTRONG: MyPlate: Gatorade G2 Fruit Punch
- USDA: Milk, Nonfat, Fluid, with Added Vitamin A and Vitamin D (fat free)
- USDA: Sports Drink, Pepsico Quaker, Gatorade, Original, Fruit-Flavored, Ready-to-Drink
- Centers for Disease Control: Community Water Fluoridation
- National Kidney Foundation: Potassium and your CKD Diet
- National Kidney Foundation: Phosphorus and your CKD Diet
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