Gatorade is intended as an electrolyte and carbohydrate replacement drink. Gatorade is a nutrition tool that helps athletes recover from intense exercise by replacing the salts and sugars that are lost through perspiration and energy expenditure. Used judiciously, Gatorade can be helpful to athletes by allowing them to easily replace nutrients and boost performance by making sure that they maintain the proper electrolyte and energy levels. The dangers of Gatorade are mostly due to drinking too much Gatorade in place of other fluids, such as water, and over consuming Gatorade additives.
Too Many Calories
An 8 oz serving of Gatorade has 50 calories. An 8 oz serving is a fairly small serving, and people are likely to drink more than 8 oz at a time, especially if they have been engaged in athletic activities. However, the calories in Gatorade can add up. If your energy expenditure is less than the calories taken in, you can gain weight, especially if you chose to drink Gatorade even when not active, or in place of lower calorie drinks, such as water.
Too Much Sodium
Gatorade contains salt to replace the sodium lost due to perspiration. The saltiness also encourages you to keep drinking the Gatorade until your thirst is satisfied. James Caldwell, of the Vanderbilt University Department of Health Psychology writes "when we drink Gatorade the salt enhances flavor and balances with the citric acid to maintain a proper pH level, which induces more fluid intake." The danger lies in drinking too much Gatorade, in relation to your actual sodium loss. Gatorade, in addition to a diet high in other high sodium foods, can contribute to high blood pressure.
Too Much Sugar
Gatorade, like other sugary drinks, can contribute to weight gain and tooth decay. The sugars in Gatorade are meant to help deliver energy to athletes. Gatorade contains 14 grams of sugar in the form of sucrose syrup and glucose-fructose syrup. Fructose converts to fat easily, so unless you are very active and exercising for more than an hour at a time, you should limit your Gatorade intake.
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