Gatorade is one of many brands of sports drink available. It claims to provide better hydration than water for athletes because it contains carbohydrates, electrolytes and in some forms, vitamins. Many active people drink Gatorade to stay hydrated during athletic activities.
History
Gatorade is named after the University of Florida Gators. It was developed in 1965 by University of Florida physicians when the Gators' football coach asked them to determine why so many of the players were struggling in the heat. The physicians determined that replacing fluids with water alone was not replacing the carbohydrates lost through exercise and the electrolytes lost through sweat. The physicians developed a drink that contained carbohydrates and electrolytes, and named it "Gatorade." Gatorade soon became a staple for many teams on the football field, and 45 years later, it has appeared at most major sports events.
Types
The Gatorade beverage is available in many flavors and formulas. The original Gatorade formula is available in eight flavors. Gatorade "Shine On" is designed for morning workouts and contains extra vitamin C. Gatorade "Be Tough" contains extra vitamin E. Gatorade "Bring It" is formulated with vitamins B3, B5, and B6 for better metabolism. Gatorade also makes "No Excuses," a different flavor line, "G2," a low-calorie electrolyte drink, an endurance formula with extra electrolytes for endurance athletes, and a variety of other performance products, including shakes and nutrition bars.
Ingredients and Nutritional Content
The ingredients in the original Gatorade formula are water, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose syrup, citric acid, natural flavor, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, modified food starch, glycerol ester of rosin and food coloring. Per 8 oz. serving, it contains 50 calories, 110 mg of sodium, 30 mg of potassium, 93 mg of chloride and 14 grams of carbohydrates.
Uses
Gatorade's primary use is for hydration before, during, or after physical activity. Although Gatorade was designed as a sports drink, anyone can drink it as a beverage. It has a sweet flavor and fewer calories than fruit juice or soft drinks.
Benefits
The two main benefits of Gatorade are the energy boost from its carbohydrate content and the electrolyte replenishment from sodium, potassium and chloride. These minerals are lost through sweat, and failure to replace electrolytes when hydrating can lead to headache, fatigue, muscle cramps and stomach upset, and can also hinder athletic performance.
Potential Drawbacks
The downside of Gatorade is the fact that it contains added sweetener in the form of high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose syrup. All of its carbohydrates come from sugar, meaning that it provides quick energy, but this can also lead to an energy crash later. In addition, consuming excess sugar and refined carbohydrates on a regular basis can be hazardous to your health, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance (which can ultimately result in diabetes), high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other problems.
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