Any drink that's composed primarily of water can quench thirst, but when water is combined with too much sugar, as you'll find in soda, the sugar slows down rehydration. When you need to rehydrate quickly, a specially formulated sports drink such as Gatorade will do the job better than soda or plain water.
Gatorade
Gatorade is specially formulated for rapid rehydration and to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes. Electrolytes are inorganic compounds that can conduct an electric current when they're dissolved in fluids. Two important electrolytes in the body -- sodium and potassium -- help control the balance of fluids and initiate nerve impulses.
Gatorade Ingredients
The primary component of Gatorade is water. The second most abundant ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. It contains no protein or fat. The active nutrients are carbohydrates, sodium and potassium. One serving has 24 grams of carbohydrates, which makes Gatorade a 6 percent carbohydrate solution. It contains a small amount of sodium (5 percent of the total recommended daily value) and potassium (1 percent of the daily value), but that's enough to give a boost of these two important electrolytes. Gatorade has small amounts of other minerals and vitamins, but not enough to be significantly measured.
Soda
In the late 1700s, soda originated as carbonated water called soda water. About 83 years later, the first cola-flavored soda water appeared, and in 1886, Coca-Cola was invented. Today's sodas are primarily made of carbonated water, and just like Gatorade, the second most abundant ingredient is high fructose corn syrup.
Soda Ingredients
A 12-ounce soda has 1 percent of the recommended daily value of protein and no fat. Soda provides 36 to 38 grams of carbohydrates, making one serving a 10 percent carbohydrate solution. Soda supplies 1 percent of the daily value of sodium and calcium, but doesn't contain other vitamins or minerals in significant quantities.
Carbohydrate
The percentage of carbohydrate determines the drink's potential effectiveness for quenching thirst quickly while improving sports performance. According to experts at the University of Michigan Medical Center, drinks that have more than 8 percent carbohydrate slow your digestion, so you're not rehydrated as quickly. At 10 percent carbohydrate, the drink can cause muscle cramps during exercise. On the other hand, drinks with less than 5 percent carbohydrate won't supply enough energy to help your performance. The optimum carbohydrate solution is 6 to 8 percent because this drink is absorbed as quickly as water while also delivering extra nutrients.
Gatorade versus Soda
Both Gatorade and soda perform as they're marketed. Sodas are not advertised as sports drinks to improve performance. With a 10 percent carbohydrate solution, sodas should not be used to replenish fluids during vigorous or extended activity; but consumed slowly for normal rehydration, they contain enough water to do the job. However, you'll also be consuming extra calories if the soda you prefer is not a diet drink. Gatorade falls within the category of optimum carbohydrate solution, which means that its water, carbohydrates and electrolytes are rapidly absorbed. This provides rehydration and helps maintain electrolyte balance; also, the sugar gives a boost of energy to sustain sports performance.
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