Since its creation in 1965 at the University of Florida, Gatorade has been used by athletes to quench their thirst and refuel their bodies. Through extensive research Gatorade and the Gatorade Sport Science Institute have created and recreated a variety of sports drinks that helps athletes to maintain peak performance. Gatorade is now a popular beverage that is the official sports drink of many organizations, including the NBA, PGA and MLB. The popularity and positive effects of Gatorade does not mean that it's all good when it comes to this iconic beverage. There are cons to the use of Gatorade.
Dental Decay
Gatorade is highly acidic and as it passes over your teeth it can cause decay of your tooth enamel. This can eventually result in cavities. This process is exacerbated because most people consume Gatorade when they parched and have little natural saliva in their mouth, allowing the Gatorade to stick to the teeth.
Weight Gain
Many people participate in athletic activities to lose weight. For those one weight loss diets, Gatorade is not a good choice, because the drink contains a relatively high number of calories. Gatorade is designed to replenish the fuel used by the body in the way of carbohydrate replacement, particularly glucose and fructose. So while people looking to lose weight are cutting carbohydrates and calories from their diet, Gatorade contains significant amounts sugars and calories.
Lack of Protein
Although research is split in this area, there is a strong case for the addition of protein to any sports drink. Gatorade competitors that include protein in their formulas will cite research, such as that published in the December, 2008 "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition," which shows improved recovery with the inclusion of protein in a sports drink. Protein is not a primary source of fuel for activity but it is responsible for the recovery of lean tissue. Muscle, ligaments and tendons need protein to rebuild after activity. This is particularly important for those involved in intense strength-training workouts.
References
- University of Florida: Gatorade: The Idea that Launched an Industry
- Society for Technical Communication: Fueling the Athlete
- "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition;" Recovery from a Cycling Time Trial is Enhanced with Carbohydrate-Protein Supplementation vs. Isoenergetic Carbohydrate Supplementation; John Berardi, Eric Noreen, Peter Lemon; Dec. 2008
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