What is gatorade good for

Some companies also add it artificially to their drinks and snacks. In small doses it…. When a person eats or drinks, they get energy from calories, which are units of energy found in food and drinks.

Everybody needs calories to survive…. Do you often feel sluggish and would like to give your energy levels a boost? Read this Spotlight for research-backed suggestions on how to achieve…. Is Gatorade good or bad for you? Gatorade for sports Risks Summary Gatorade is sold as an exercise enhancement drink. Should you drink Gatorade or water after sports? Share on Pinterest Research suggests that only serious athletes exercising for over an hour will benefit from drinking Gatorade.

Risks of drinking too much Gatorade. Share on Pinterest Sugary drinks, such as Gatorade, may increase the risk of diabetes. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. Mountain Dew does not kill sperm. Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.

What should you eat after working out? What does caffeine do to your body? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. How many calories do you need? Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M. How can you boost your energy levels? The research on alternative sweeteners is inconclusive so far, but ongoing.

Low- and no-calorie sweeteners can help with weight-loss efforts , but the potential long-term consequences may not be worth it. Also, some research paradoxically shows that artificial sweeteners can actually sabotage weight loss efforts in the long-term. Some artificial sweeteners are also known to contribute to digestive issues , such as bloat and diarrhea , though not in all people.

If you experience digestive distress with sugar alcohols such as erythritol, maltitol or xylitol or sugar alternatives such as aspartame, sucralose or saccharin , low- and zero-calorie sports drinks might exacerbate your symptoms.

Look for the "zero" versions of sports drinks if you're trying to cut calories, sugar and sodium. Sometimes, sports drinks can offer benefits in excess of pure fluid replacement. For example, a sports drink can help when:. Another situation that may require sports drinks but more likely an IV of electrolytes is water intoxication.

Water intoxication occurs when you lose too many electrolytes and replenish fluids with water alone. This can dilute your blood sodium levels and cause too much fluid to enter your cells, causing them to swell. While very rare, water intoxication can be serious and even fatal. There are also other, nonphysiological reasons why sports drinks can be beneficial.

For many people, flavored sports drinks are more palatable than plain water or other beverages , and can help them stay sufficiently hydrated. If a Gatorade a day helps you get the amount of fluid you need, then by all means, don't deny yourself hydration. You may want to drink low- or zero-calorie versions of sports drinks if you don't exercise regularly, however, to avoid unnecessary added sugar and sodium. If the artificial sweeteners in low- and zero-calorie beverages mess with your digestion, consider switching to fruit-infused water instead.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice.

Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. Extra sugar is more likely to cause health complications in people who exercise less often or only for an hour or less.

Central Washington University compared calorie counts of Gatorade and other drinks per serving:. According to the same information, Gatorade offers 14 grams g of carbohydrates per serving compared to 27 g in Coca-Cola and 25 g in orange juice.

The University of California, Berkeley's paper concludes that children's increase in sugary drink consumption, including energy drinks, may be contributing to weight gain in adulthood. They also link this to chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The researchers suggest sports drinks may be using misleading labels and advertising to promote health benefits that science has not fully proven. For most people, including children and adolescents, the extra sugar, sodium, and calories found in sugary drinks are not necessary. In fact, these calories may be replacing calorie intake from more nutritious sources. In addition to calories, people should conside some other factors.

Lower calorie versions of Gatorade contain artificial sweeteners that some research indicates may lead to ongoing weight problems. One study published in suggests that artificial sweeteners may increase weight when consumed regularly. A final consideration, especially for those with allergies and sensitivity, is the presence of food dyes in Gatorade and other sports drinks.

This caution is because some research has linked artificial dyes to health issues, such as hyperactivity and, potentially, cancers.

Gatorade may offer a good drink to complement water for athletes involved in intense exercise and activity. Gatorade may also be helpful to replace electrolytes lost during an illness that involves bouts of vomiting or diarrhea , or after prolonged exposure to excessive heat. But Gatorade contains high levels of sugar and food dyes, which may increase people's risk of certain health conditions, including weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Gatorade and other sports drinks are not inherently healthy or healthier than other beverages. When consumed regularly, Gatorade may lead to, or contribute to, problems such as obesity. More research is needed to fully understand the positive and negative impacts of Gatorade and other sports drinks.