Gatorade vs. Water

In a timeless debate that perhaps will never be quite finished, some people have taken different strategies to improve their hydration, particularly runners: what hydrates and quenches thirst better, water or Gatorade?

Gatorade was first developed by University of Florida researches including Robert Cade when the Gators’ head football coach came to them wondering about hot summer practices and why his team was sluggish. The team came up with a blend of water, potassium, sugar, sodium, and even lemon juice that was dubbed “Gatorade” (as in the Florida “Gators”). Not long after, the University of Florida won its first Orange Bowl over Georgia Tech University in 1967.

When asked about the loss, Georgia Tech coach Bud Carson reportedly said, “We didn’t have Gatorade. That made the difference.”

But is Gatorade really so much better than water? And if so, what makes it better than water?

To answer that question, we have to look at hydration in a different light, much as the original creators of Gatorade did. When people sweat, they lose more than just water – they also lose elements in the body like sugar, salt, and potassium. Water is the most potent “rehydrator” possible; it’s the other elements that complicate things.

It’s also important to note that, without water, Gatorade wouldn’t be Gatorade – it would be closer to a pile of table salt and sugar with some fortified elements like potassium included. Does this mean that water is “better” than Gatorade?

Some people have used alternative “electrolyte replacement drinks” in order to supplement water, much as Gatorade does. These recipes tend to include water with salt and vinegar included, or other substances such as honey or even Kool-Aid mix.

Many long-distance runners have drank water but supplemented it with foods richer in salt or sugar – like fruits or pretzels – in order to maintain a proper electrolyte balance. Loading up a drink with too much salt can actually harm the beneficial effects and do more bad than good for a body, causing an electrolyte imbalance.

Perhaps there’s no answer because the question is flawed. Gatorade includes water, after all. It is intended to supplement water, not replace it. And, for many, drinking Gatorade without physical exertion is unnecessary, and possibly even worse for you than simply drinking water. However, in periods of high activity, drinking water is not enough. You have to strike a balance of electrolytes, including water, salt, sugar, and potassium.

Find more information or even consult a doctor to find the concoction that works best for you. If Gatorade fills you with energy and leaves you feeling great after a hard workout, there’s no reason to switch to water, and vice versa.

Photo Credits: antigone78

Originally posted 2009-03-11 05:23:05.

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