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Gatorade and sporting events go hand-in-hand. The famous drink has become the go-to choice for athletes who need to replenish their electrolytes during and after the big game. Though Gatorade is a smart choice for athletes, it turns out that most Gatorade drinkers aren't as physically active as they should be. If that's the case for you, then it's time to put down the Gatorade and find a healthier drink to enjoy. Here's why health expert say you should ditch Gatorade alltogether:
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1. It's loaded with sugar
One 12-ounce serving of Gatorade’s Thirst Quencher contains 21 grams of sugar, according to HealthLine. And since a regular bottle of Gatorade contains 32 ounces, you’re actually getting 56 grams of sugar if you finish the whole thing.
2. It could be contributing to childhood obesity
Researchers say that the sugar in sports drinks like Gatorade may be contributing to the child obesity epidemic, as they increase their caloric intake.
3. It could lead to tooth decay
Did you think all of sugar wouldn't affect your teeth? It can cause major tooth decay in children AND adults if consumed too often.
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4. There's a lot of sodium in there, too!
Gatorade contains about 450 mg of sodium per liter, according to Livestrong. This is great for athletes, who lose about 900 to 1400 mg of sodium while exercising. But if you're not active, you're just giving your body unwanted sodium.
5. It actually has the most sodium compared to other sports drinks
"Gatorade contains twice the amount of sodium as other sports drinks, such as Powerade and Allsport Sports Drinks which each contain 55 mg of sodium per cup," according to Livestrong.
6. The food dyes aren't doing you any favors
Gatorade is known for its vibrant colors, which comes from Red No. 40, Blue No. 1, and Yellow No. 5. These artificial dyes are derived from petroleum and have been linked to cancer.
7. Drinking too much can lead to weight gain
A 32-oz. bottle of Gatorade has 200 calories, according to Livestrong. And, you can even gain weight if you're drinking it while working out! If you burn fewer calories than the 200 you get from Gatorade, your body will store the extra calories as fat instead of burning them as energy. Yikes!
8. Too much Gatorade can cause vitamin toxicity
Gatorade is contains fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, which cannot be excreted from the body when overconsumed. Too much vitamin A can lead to hypervitaminosis A, which can cause blurred vision, fatigue, headache and nausea.
9. It can lead to high blood pressure
The high sodium content in Gatorade can lead to high blood pressure in those who overconsume the sports drink. This can then potentially lead to heart attacks and strokes.
