Gatorade has become a staple on sports fields worldwide since its inception in 1987, report sports nutritionists at Vanderbilt University. Since then, a market for sports drinks has been created that has spurred dozens of other companies, from Nestle to Coca-Cola, to come up with their own version of the fluid replacement drink. Vanderbilt nutritionists report that the Gatorade effects are valuable tools for athletes to have to combat dehydration.
Absorption
Researchers at Gatorade claim that the 6 percent carbohydrate absorption level and the added salt provide optimal hydration effects. Additionally, once the body reaches a 7-percent carbohydrate absorption level, the absorption properties slow down--unlike fruit juices that continue to ramp up carb levels. Vanderbilt nutritionists confirm the claims.
Hydration
Unlike plain water, Gatorade is meant to rehydrate the body quicker and deliver carbohydrates and salts, or electrolytes, for maximum performance. The salt in the drink helps the body maintain fluids, unlike caffeine, which causes dehydration and water, which results in increased urination. In addition, the sodium in Gatorade, combined with the fruit flavors, make the drink more palatable for athletes, promoting a higher consumption of the fluid.
Energy
Carbohydrates consumed create energy in the body. Since Gatorade is made with two kinds of carbs--sucrose from sugar and fructose that makes glucose--it is a better choice for increasing and maintaining energy levels than plain water. Per the nutrition label shown at Nutrition Data.com, one 609-g bottle of Gatorade contains 39 g of carbohydrate and 238 g of sodium. There are about 158 calories in a Gatorade drink.
Options
To increase its market and respond to the needs of various training disciplines, Gatorade manufacturers have created additional lines of the product with varying effects. The "Shine On" Gatorade product contains vitamin C and morning flavors like orange for athletes who begin working out early in the morning. Vitamin E has been added to Gatorade to create "Be Tough" for extreme athletes who require added immunity protection.
"Endurance Formula" was created to sustain athletes for longer and more intense workouts. The endurance drinks contain twice the amount of salt as the standard Gatorade Thirst Quencher does to replenish higher amounts of depleted electrolytes. Researchers at Gatorade report that athletes who have white stains on their sweat marks may be losing too much salt, which can be replaced quickly with Gatorade endurance formula. "G2" is a low-calorie Gatorade that provides electrolytes for hydration without the added sugar and vitamins to help athletes who are dieting avoid weight gain.
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