Gatorade by Montserrat Ruiz-Salvat

Gatorade

According to Gatorade’s website http://www.gatorade.com/history/ the sports-drink was born in the lab of the university of Florida in 1965 after a football coach sat down with a group of physicians asking them to determine why so many of his players were affected by heat related illnesses. The researches found out two important factors that caused the “Gator” players to lose energy: the fluids and electrolytes the players were losing through sweat were not being replaced, nor the large amounts of carbohydrates that they needed. The researches then scientifically formulated a balanced carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage that would replace those key components lost through sweating and exercise. After more years of research Gatorade labs launched an elite line of sport nutrition products in 2001. These include: Gatorade Energy Drink, Gatorade Energy Bar, and Gatorade Nutrition Shake. Gatorade launched the Gatorade Performance Series, an elite line of sports nutrition products, in 2001. These products include Gatorade Energy Drink, Gatorade Energy Bar, and the Gatorade Nutrition Shake.Nowadays, Gatorade continues its research to find ways of helping athletes improve performance by facilitating proper hydration and nutrition.

But, what is really Gatorade made of?

According to Wikipedia, the original Gatorade contained water, sucrose (table sugar), and glucose-fructose syrups, citric acid (found in citrus fruits like lemons and limes), fish oil, sodium chloride (table salt), sodium citrate (any of the sodium salts of citric acid that is used as food additive, to add flavor, or as a preservative), monopotassium phosphate (a soluble salt also used in cigarettes, as fertilizer, fungicide and food additive), and flavoring/coloring ingredients. Some Gatorade flavorings use brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as a stabilizer to produce a cloudy appearance in the drink (this toxic element tested in animals remained in the body fat, caused damage in the heart and kidneys, and increased fat deposits in these organs; individuals with sensitivity to bromine experienced depressed thyroid function, memory loss, tremors, fatigue, and loss of the ability to walk.) Standards for soft drinks in India prohibit the use of BVO. In the United States, Gatorade is now sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, which is a sugar substitute that is cheaper than sugar. Based on animal testing some critics claim that corn syrup is more detrimental to health than table sugar. In regards to electrolytes (or free ions), humans require a complex electrolyte balance to maintain the body hydrated, and they are necessary for the proper function of nerves and muscles. So, in the case of athletes who exercise in extreme conditions, for instance running a marathon for 3 or 4 hours, they need electrolytes or they risk severe dehydration. In other words, for someone who walks on the treadmill, drinking sport-drinks daily loaded with electrolytes is unnecessary.
Honegar and Switchel versus Gatorade
Is there an option to Gatorade? Yes, a non-commercial “electrolyte replacement drink” (that will not cause cardiac arrest in case of a bad electrolyte reaction) called Switchel. Switchel originated in the Caribbean and had become a popular summer drink in the American colonies in the late 1600s. By the 1800s, it had become a traditional drink to serve to thirsty farmers during hay harvest, hence the nickname haymaker's punch. Switchel is a drink made of water, vinegar (usually apple cider vinegar), molasses, and sometimes added flavors like honey and ginger. Honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup were sometimes used to sweeten the drink instead of molasses. Switchel became very popular popularity in New York in the 1930s. D.C.Jarvis a physician from Vermont, recommended a similar drink (a mixture of honey and cider vinegar), which he called "honegar”.

Gatorade versus plain old water?
I think that the best way to keep oneself hydrated throughtout the day is by drinking lots of water. The benefits of water are multiple and well known. The only drawback about drinking more water is that it requires more trips to the bathroom. After a strenous run or workout at the gym, drinking a Gatorade once a week is probably fine. In my opinion, it is all about moderation. Gaterode’s drawback is that is more costly than water but it requires less will power. Afterall, Gatorade is part of our teen culture were drinking water might not be as “cool” as drinking a soda. However, as a college student myself, price is an issue: At a regular supermarket, a 1 litre bottle of spring water costs from 0.99 cents to $3.00 for fancy bottles, whereas a 32 onz.bottle of Gaterode costs $2.19. So, why not add some real lemon, honey or maple syrup to our daily bottled water to replenish those fluids and electrolytes lost under the California sun?
In a final note, since Getorade is considerate a non-carbonated “soda”, like many other sodas in California it cannot hide the fact that there is a link between soda consumption and obesity. A recent study concludes that the average California teenager consumes 39 pouns of liquid sugar per year only from soda consumption. Gatorade’s calorie count vary depending on the product. A 12 onze bottle of Gatorade Energy drink has 310 calories, an 8 onze bottle of Gatorade Lemon-Lime Thrist Quencher has 50 calories, whereas a bottle of water has 0 calories without ingesting presertives, aditives and other ingredients.