Gatorade Thirst Quencher is a sports beverage first developed by researchers at the University of Florida in 1965 as a means of providing a competitive advantage to the school's football team. Since that time, the product has been used by college and professional athletes, as well as everyday consumers seeking simple hydration. The drink currently comes in a wide variety of flavors and specialized product lines, but the basic ingredients found in Gatorade have remained relatively constant.
Water
Gatorade products are principally composed of filtered water. Since the human body itself is primarily made up of water (between 55 and 75 percent), it requires the constant replenishment of water for basic cellular functioning. According to ShapeFit.com, average daily requirement of water intake should equal approximately 64 oz. per day. Exercise only serves to increase the volume of water the body needs for normal performance.
Sucrose
Sucrose, or common table sugar, is a carbohydrate commonly derived from sugar beets or sugar cane. Sugar is a common additive found in a wide variety of food products, most often to improve the taste of the product in question. Carbohydrates serve as the body's main source of energy, yet DrKrider.com states that most Americans consume far more simple sugars than the recommended daily requirement.
Dextrose
Dextrose, which is also known as glucose, is another simple sugar the body needs for fueling cellular functions. Like sucrose, it is present in Gatorade to help sweeten the formula's taste.
Citric acid
Commonly found in foods such as lemons and limes, citric acid is included in Gatorade's formula as both a flavor additive and a preservative. In addition to Gatorade, citric acid is a frequent ingredient in the manufacturing of commercial beverages (such as fruit juices and carbonated soft drinks), as well as a myriad of goods in both the food and pharmaceutical industries, says the Food Additives and Ingredients Association.
Salt
Gatorade contains the electrolytes sodium, potassium and chloride, which are essential to the body's hydration and muscular functions. Salts are lost via sweat, so it is critical to replace these electrolytes during exercise or athletic competition. Additionally, the manufacturers of Gatorade claim that the salt present in its formulation serves to stimulate thirst in order to ensure users ingest an adequate amount of fluids.
Sodium Citrate
Sodium citrate is another common food additive found in a variety of commercial food categories. It serves to regulate acidity and maintain the stability of the other active ingredients in Gatorade, as stated in Additivesinfood.info.
Monopotassium Phosphate
When used as a food additive, monopotassium phosphate acts as an additional source of electrolytes (specifically, potassium and phosphate), as a pH buffer and as an emulsifying agent, says the International Food Additives Council.
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