Gatorade is a sports drink that is popular worldwide. It was made for replacing athletes electrolytes after workouts but due to Gatorades popularity inactive people are making use of it by drinking it during lunch or even on a daily basis. This could be unhealthy, Gatorade has a lot of pros but it also has a few cons.
One of Gatorades cons is it being used incorrectly. Healthline.com states “While Gatorade can help you stay hydrated, it’s best to only drink it when needed”(Schaefer, 2018). Gatorade has sugar in it that can cause tooth decay, the extra sodium can cause high blood pressure, and it also contains food dye which has been linked to cancer. Especially people who don’t exercise for 60 minutes and five days a week, drinking water is strongly suggested.
Gatorade really isn’t that bad, studies have shown Gatorade being beneficial for people who engage in ongoing activities. For example, “A report from the University of California at Berkeley says that sports drinks might be better than water for children and athletes who engage in prolonged, vigorous physical activity for more than one hour, especially in hot conditions”(Schaefer, 2018). During this study they found out Gatorade isn’t a good hydration source for ordinary people and only for people who engage in ongoing, strong physical activities for more than one hour.
A great hydration source for ordinary people and athletes would be drinking water and eating fruit. It is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate yourself and replace your electrolytes, “If children require water and a few minerals after a game, why not give them a bottle of water and a piece of fruit?”(Seidenberg, 2013). You can replace your electrolytes and hydrate yourself by drinking water and eating a piece of fruit without having to worry about tooth decay, high blood pressure, and weight gain. This is better long term oppose to Gatorade which is only a short term solution.
Gatorade Should only be used when necessary because of the health problems it can cause you. While drinking Gatorade can be beneficial after intense workouts and games its not good long term. Drinking water and eating fruit is a way better solution because in the long run it’s beneficial for your health. So is Gatorade really good for you?
