Electrolytes affect how your body functions in several ways, including:. Electrolyte imbalances, from dehydration or excessive sweating, can have serious health consequences. Gatorade contains three electrolytes — sodium, potassium and chloride — to help replenish lost electrolytes and keep your body running smoothly and efficiently during intense exercise.
When we sweat, our bodies lose both water and electrolytes. In general, you won't need to replenish your electrolytes unless you're exercising for longer than 60 to 90 minutes, according to ACE Fitness.
For this reason, unless they are professional athletes or fitness pros, most people don't really need beverages with electrolytes during exercise. Gatorade Thirst Quencher contains mg of sodium and mg of potassium, which is 17 percent and 2 percent of the daily values DV , respectively. Gatorade Endurance contains the most electrolytes, with mg of sodium and mg of potassium. Sodium the sweat at a much greater quantity than other electrolytes, per Sanford Health.
Sodium plays a large role in regulating fluid balances in your body and conducting electrical impulses in the nervous system. In relation to exercise, it stimulates sugar and water uptake in the small intestines and activates the thirst mechanism to keep individuals hydrated. While most Americans get more than enough sodium in their diet, sports drinks with sodium can be beneficial to those exercising for more than 90 at a time or in especially hot conditions.
Hyponatremia, or low sodium levels, can cause nausea and vomiting, fatigue and muscle weakness, confusion and, in more severe cases, seizures and loss of consciousness.
Working with sodium, potassium and water, chloride primarily functions in regulating the balance of fluids in your body. Your body can lose chloride through excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhea.
Symptoms of low chloride, or hypochloremia, may include high levels of sodium in your blood and dehydration, per the U. Gatorade does not list how much chloride is included in its formulas.
The most common cause of muscle cramps during sports activity is dehydration, according to the U. Working out when you're dehydrated or when you have low levels of minerals, like potassium and calcium, can make you more likely to have a muscle spasm.
Drinking water is sometimes enough to ease the cramping, while other times, the addition of salt can provide relief. The salt in sports drinks, which helps to replenish lost minerals, can sometimes be helpful. Water is the most logical form of hydration. However, sports drinks like Gatorade contain sugar and electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
Sports drinks can help replace what we lose during longer duration exercise, especially in the heat. This balance is essential for nerve, muscle, and brain functioning.
An imbalance may lead to an electrolyte disorder. Electrolytes and carbohydrates help athletes refuel and rehydrate. This is what makes sports drinks popular. Gatorade claims their product hydrates better than water because of these additional ingredients.
Some research backs their claims. 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.
However, you should note that people exercising for less than 60 to 90 minutes may not need Gatorade to maintain or improve performance. In fact, Berkeley researchers say the sugar in sports drinks may be contributing to the child obesity epidemic by increasing caloric intake. 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. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. 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 sugar content in Gatorade is high because once electrolytes leave the blood through sweat, your blood sugar becomes low and needs to be replenished. It is also there to make the drink taste good. While it is important to stay hydrated through water, sometimes your body may need to replenish electrolytes with Gatorade or another type of sports drink.
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