Gatorade and Pedialyte are both drinks used to replenish the body after electrolyte loss. Gatorade tends to be thought of as a sports drink used to re-hydrate athletes, while Pedialyte has the reputation of being used more for illnesses involving vomiting and diarrhea. While neither has been defined to be used in one situation or the other, both contain various ingredients to help stabilize individuals who have depleted certain chemicals in their body in some way.
Ingredients
Gatorade has a unique blend of fluids, electrolytes and carbohydrates. It contains approximately 14 grams of carbohydrates per eight ounces of solution.
With 110 mg of sodium, 30 mg of potassium and 93 mg of chloride, Gatorade is used to replenish minerals lost through sweating. Bottled Gatorade is made with high fructose corn syrup, while the powdered mix is made with sugar.
Pedialyte contains electrolytes, sugar and water. It is designed to promote quick fluid and electrolyte absorption, especially in children, while controlling the ratio of sugars, dextrose and fructose, with the amount of electrolytes recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Pedialyte is formulated with low amounts of sugar and higher amounts of sodium and potassium when compared to sports drinks. Sucrose is not used in Pedialyte due to the risk of increasing the effects of diarrhea by putting more water into the intestine. Pedialyte does, however, take advantage of the controversial sweeteners sucrose and acesulfame potassium.
History
The original Gatorade contained water, sucrose and glucose fructose syrups, citric acid, fish oil, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, monopatassium phosphate and flavoring/coloring ingredients. Gatorade meets the Food and Drug Administration's definition of a “low-sodium product." Gatorade’s makeup has changed very little over time, with additions of new formulas containing only minor tweaks from the original 1965 product.
Pedialyte’s specific formula, which is low in fructose but balanced with electrolytes, has not changed from the original version of the product with the exception of adding various flavorings like grape, cherry and orange, to make Pedialyte taste better to children.
Research
Gatorade has specifically stated that a goal of the company and product is “to share current information and expand knowledge on sports nutrition and exercise science that enhance the performance and well-being of athletes.” Gatorade scientists use exercise physiology labs, biochemistry and exercise sensory labs to study the correlation and effects of Gatorade on the human body.
Pedialyte is produced by Abbott Labs. Dr. Keith Wheeler, vice president of research and development, explains the recent acceptance of Pedialyte by the athletic community by stating that “If you take a 300-lb. NFL lineman and put him in 95 degrees with 75 percent humidity, he will dump a volume of electrolytes from this body through sweat that will be equivalent to a child with diarrhea.” However, he adamantly maintains that Pedialyte was not developed for the athletic community and will not be marketed or developed specifically for athletes.
Concerns
Gatorade contains a higher amount of carbohydrates and less salts and was specifically produced to help athletes re-hydrate. Pedialyte, on the other hand, has been developed and marketed to be used in toddlers and pre-school age children during times of gastrointestinal distress. The lower sugar content prevents an increase in the presence of diarrhea and also prevents the addition of unnecessary calories.
Neither company is willing to concede that its product is better or worse for a specific gender, age, activity level or illness. Both, however, boast the ability to increase the loss of electrolytes which can occur in athletes or in a child who is experiencing extreme vomiting or diarrhea.
Expert Opinions
As mentioned previously, Gatorade has an extensive lab in which they test various exercises alongside their product while Abbot Lab's produces Pedialyte specifically for the use in children with gastrointestinal issues.
A research article by Louis M. Burke, of the Australian Institute of Sport in Victoria, states that "during endurance and ultra endurance exercise, suitable intake of a sports drink to preserve hydration and to supply additional carbohydrate substrate for glycogen-depleted muscles has been shown to improve performance."
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