Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Gatorade?BenefitsNutritional FactsIngredientsRisksFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Gatorade?
Benefits
Nutritional Facts
Ingredients
Risks
FAQ
Gatorade is formulated to help replace water,electrolytes, and carbohydrates (specificallysugar) that are lost when we sweat.
For athletes who undergo intense, prolonged workouts, an occasional Gatorade for exercise fuel is not bad for you. But with 48 grams (g) of sugar and 380 milligrams (mg) of salt per 28-ounce bottle, Gatorade is not exactly ahealthydrink, either,especially if you have certain risk factors likeobesityortype 2 diabetes.
Gatorade is a popular product, but just how healthy is it? Here’s a look at the best-selling sports drink in America, its nutritional value, benefits, and risks.
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So what’s in it?
Gatorade is about 90% water. This is a critical component, as hydration is important for our general health, especially after physical exertion.
Gatorade also contains carbohydrates (carbs), which come in the form of sugar. This helps rebuildglycogen, which storesglucose(sugar) in your muscles for energy.
The main electrolytes (minerals) in Gatorade aresodiumandpotassium. Electrolytes have several functions, including regulating muscle contractions, keeping you hydrated, and balancing yourpH level(the balance ofacidityandalkalinityin your body).
The Gatorade that most closely resembles the original formula is Gatorade G Thirst Quencher, which is what will be discussed here.
Can Anyone Drink Gatorade?Though it does hydrate the body, Gatorade may not be healthy for everyone, particularly the forms with higher levels of sugar and salt. Fortunately, today it is sold in several formulas, some of which have added vitamins, less sugar, or fewer calories, as well as an organic form.
Can Anyone Drink Gatorade?
Though it does hydrate the body, Gatorade may not be healthy for everyone, particularly the forms with higher levels of sugar and salt. Fortunately, today it is sold in several formulas, some of which have added vitamins, less sugar, or fewer calories, as well as an organic form.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Gatorade?
After intense exercise, it’s important to replenish the body with fluid and minerals lost through sweat.Gatorade can help you rehydrate since it contains mainly water, and the sugar can help refuel muscles quickly.
If you’ve ever noticed how your sweat is salty, that’s because you’re losing sodium. The salt in Gatorade can resupply you with this mineral.
If you are dehydrated for any reason, whether through intense activity, illness, or you don’t drink enough water, Gatorade can provide hydration. If you drink the Gatorade formulas that contain vitamins, they can contribute to your nutrient needs.
Does Gatorade Hydrate You Better Than Water After Sports or Exercise?Unbiased research on whether Gatorade or water is more efficient for rehydration is lacking. However, one thing researchers are clear on is that the key to staying hydrated is to drink when you feel thirsty.Whether you choose Gatorade or water, if you are still thirsty after drinking it, then you’re not hydrated enough.
Does Gatorade Hydrate You Better Than Water After Sports or Exercise?
Unbiased research on whether Gatorade or water is more efficient for rehydration is lacking. However, one thing researchers are clear on is that the key to staying hydrated is to drink when you feel thirsty.Whether you choose Gatorade or water, if you are still thirsty after drinking it, then you’re not hydrated enough.
Nutritional facts tell you how high or low a food or drink is in various nutrients, as well as the percentage of recommended daily values they provide. A 28-ounce bottle of Gatorade G Thirst Quencher contains:
Here’s how the nutritional value of Gatorade stacks up against recommended daily values of its main components, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines:
Is it Bad to Drink Gatorade Every Day?Like any other sugar-sweetened drink, drinking Gatorade regularly can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It’s wise not to drink it every day.
Is it Bad to Drink Gatorade Every Day?
Like any other sugar-sweetened drink, drinking Gatorade regularly can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It’s wise not to drink it every day.
In a bottle of Lemon-Lime Gatorade G Thirst Quencher, the ingredients in order of quantity are:
Is Gatorade Healthy for Children?For teens and older children who play a lot of sports or stay very physically active, Gatorade can provide the same benefits as it does for adults. However, the sugar can contribute to weight gain and tooth decay, so the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting sports drinks for kids.
Is Gatorade Healthy for Children?
For teens and older children who play a lot of sports or stay very physically active, Gatorade can provide the same benefits as it does for adults. However, the sugar can contribute to weight gain and tooth decay, so the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting sports drinks for kids.
10 Healthy Electrolyte Drinks to Try for Replenishment
What Are the Risks of Drinking Too Much Gatorade?
Because it’s high in sugar and salt, bottles of Gatorade can quickly add up to more than a healthy amount of these nutrients, particularly if you have an inactive lifestyle.
If you haveobesityor an inactive lifestyle, Gatorade can add unnecessary calories to your diet that you don’t work off. (However, it’s lower in calories than sugary sodas, which come in at almost double that of Gatorade.)
Obesity puts you at higher risk for developing:
If you already have one or more of these conditions, drinking Gatorade regularly can make them worse.
Additionally, too much salt can raise blood pressure. This stresses the cardiovascular system and can lead toheart attackorstroke. Therefore, consuming a lot of Gatorade if you already eat a lot of other salty food doesn’t contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
The high sugar content of Gatorade is also a challenge to good health. Experts recommend that sugar form no more than 10% of our daily diet. About half of Americans eat double that on a daily basis.
Sugar affects your blood glucose level and can createinsulin resistance, a risk factor fortype 2 diabetes. It is also associated with cardiovascular disease.
While Gatorade is not unhealthy in and of itself, it can contribute to health concerns if you drink a lot of it and are inactive or have obesity.
Gatorade and the Glycemic IndexGatorade is high on the glycemic index, which measures how quickly the body uses sugar (another way to assess risk in developing type 2 diabetes). The index goes from 1 to 100, and anything over 70 is considered high. The glycemic index of Gatorade is 78.
Gatorade and the Glycemic Index
Gatorade is high on the glycemic index, which measures how quickly the body uses sugar (another way to assess risk in developing type 2 diabetes). The index goes from 1 to 100, and anything over 70 is considered high. The glycemic index of Gatorade is 78.
Summary
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you have an illness that’s causing vomiting or diarrhea and you get dehydrated, Gatorade can help rehydrate you and replace lost electrolytes. So can water, broth, and other clear fluids.If you have low potassium levels, you may become constipated, because potassium helps your intestinal muscles contract. The potassium in Gatorade may help ease constipation. Bananas are another good source of potassium.Older people have a tendency to become dehydrated, but any older adult who has heart issues, diabetes, kidney disease, or obesity would benefit from drinking water or broth. An occasional bottle of Gatorade is fine, but it contains salt and sugar, both of which can be unhealthy for the cardiovascular system.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have an illness that’s causing vomiting or diarrhea and you get dehydrated, Gatorade can help rehydrate you and replace lost electrolytes. So can water, broth, and other clear fluids.
If you have low potassium levels, you may become constipated, because potassium helps your intestinal muscles contract. The potassium in Gatorade may help ease constipation. Bananas are another good source of potassium.
Older people have a tendency to become dehydrated, but any older adult who has heart issues, diabetes, kidney disease, or obesity would benefit from drinking water or broth. An occasional bottle of Gatorade is fine, but it contains salt and sugar, both of which can be unhealthy for the cardiovascular system.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Larson N, Laska M, Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D.Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaviours among young adults.Public Health Nutr. 2015 Oct;18(15):2794-2803. doi:10.1017/S1368980015000191Gatorade.Gatorade Orange Thirst Quencher Bottle (28oz).American Academy of Family Physicians.Hydration: why it’s so important.Peinado AB, Rojo-Tirado MA, Benito PJ.Sugar and exercise: its importance in athletes.Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(Suppl 4):48-56. doi:10.3305/nh.2013.28.sup4.6796Timerga A, Kelta E, Kenenisa C, Habte A, Zawdie B, Haile K.Serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome in Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: Facility based crossectional study.PLoS One. 2020 Nov;15(11):1-16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241486Michigan State University.Refuel, rehydrate and rebuild after a workout.Harvard Health Publishing.Trade sports drinks for water.USDA.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.American Heart Association.How much sugar is too much?.Malik V, Hu F.The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases.Nature Rev Endocrinol. 2022 Jan;18(1):205-218. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6Pepsico.The facts about your favorite beverage: Gatorade Thirst Quencher, Lemon-Lime.Cordrey K, Keim S, Milanaik R, Adesman A.Adolescent consumption of sports drinks.Pediatr. 2018 Jun;141(6):e20172784. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2784U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rethink your drink.Healthy Food America.Why take on sugar?.Oregon State University.Glycemic index and glycemic load for 100+ foods.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Larson N, Laska M, Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D.Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaviours among young adults.Public Health Nutr. 2015 Oct;18(15):2794-2803. doi:10.1017/S1368980015000191Gatorade.Gatorade Orange Thirst Quencher Bottle (28oz).American Academy of Family Physicians.Hydration: why it’s so important.Peinado AB, Rojo-Tirado MA, Benito PJ.Sugar and exercise: its importance in athletes.Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(Suppl 4):48-56. doi:10.3305/nh.2013.28.sup4.6796Timerga A, Kelta E, Kenenisa C, Habte A, Zawdie B, Haile K.Serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome in Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: Facility based crossectional study.PLoS One. 2020 Nov;15(11):1-16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241486Michigan State University.Refuel, rehydrate and rebuild after a workout.Harvard Health Publishing.Trade sports drinks for water.USDA.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.American Heart Association.How much sugar is too much?.Malik V, Hu F.The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases.Nature Rev Endocrinol. 2022 Jan;18(1):205-218. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6Pepsico.The facts about your favorite beverage: Gatorade Thirst Quencher, Lemon-Lime.Cordrey K, Keim S, Milanaik R, Adesman A.Adolescent consumption of sports drinks.Pediatr. 2018 Jun;141(6):e20172784. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2784U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rethink your drink.Healthy Food America.Why take on sugar?.Oregon State University.Glycemic index and glycemic load for 100+ foods.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Larson N, Laska M, Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D.Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaviours among young adults.Public Health Nutr. 2015 Oct;18(15):2794-2803. doi:10.1017/S1368980015000191Gatorade.Gatorade Orange Thirst Quencher Bottle (28oz).American Academy of Family Physicians.Hydration: why it’s so important.Peinado AB, Rojo-Tirado MA, Benito PJ.Sugar and exercise: its importance in athletes.Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(Suppl 4):48-56. doi:10.3305/nh.2013.28.sup4.6796Timerga A, Kelta E, Kenenisa C, Habte A, Zawdie B, Haile K.Serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome in Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: Facility based crossectional study.PLoS One. 2020 Nov;15(11):1-16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241486Michigan State University.Refuel, rehydrate and rebuild after a workout.Harvard Health Publishing.Trade sports drinks for water.USDA.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.American Heart Association.How much sugar is too much?.Malik V, Hu F.The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases.Nature Rev Endocrinol. 2022 Jan;18(1):205-218. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6Pepsico.The facts about your favorite beverage: Gatorade Thirst Quencher, Lemon-Lime.Cordrey K, Keim S, Milanaik R, Adesman A.Adolescent consumption of sports drinks.Pediatr. 2018 Jun;141(6):e20172784. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2784U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rethink your drink.Healthy Food America.Why take on sugar?.Oregon State University.Glycemic index and glycemic load for 100+ foods.
Larson N, Laska M, Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D.Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaviours among young adults.Public Health Nutr. 2015 Oct;18(15):2794-2803. doi:10.1017/S1368980015000191
Gatorade.Gatorade Orange Thirst Quencher Bottle (28oz).
American Academy of Family Physicians.Hydration: why it’s so important.
Peinado AB, Rojo-Tirado MA, Benito PJ.Sugar and exercise: its importance in athletes.Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(Suppl 4):48-56. doi:10.3305/nh.2013.28.sup4.6796
Timerga A, Kelta E, Kenenisa C, Habte A, Zawdie B, Haile K.Serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome in Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: Facility based crossectional study.PLoS One. 2020 Nov;15(11):1-16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241486
Michigan State University.Refuel, rehydrate and rebuild after a workout.
Harvard Health Publishing.Trade sports drinks for water.
USDA.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
American Heart Association.How much sugar is too much?.
Malik V, Hu F.The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases.Nature Rev Endocrinol. 2022 Jan;18(1):205-218. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6
Pepsico.The facts about your favorite beverage: Gatorade Thirst Quencher, Lemon-Lime.
Cordrey K, Keim S, Milanaik R, Adesman A.Adolescent consumption of sports drinks.Pediatr. 2018 Jun;141(6):e20172784. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2784
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rethink your drink.
Healthy Food America.Why take on sugar?.
Oregon State University.Glycemic index and glycemic load for 100+ foods.
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