Why Does Gatorade Have So Much Sugar?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Risks of drinking too much Gatorade

In addition to adding electrolytes to the person’s fluid consumption,

it also adds sugar

. Typically, serious athletes and people involved in long, strenuous activities can handle the added sugar, as they will burn it off, during their normal routines.

Why do sports drinks contain ions?

Sports drinks advertise the electrolytes they contain, but the electrolytes do not matter if the body is already receiving the electrolyte from good nutrition. The purpose of electrolytes is

to replenish the body with ions to carry throughout the body for muscle contractions and nerve impulses

.

Why do sports drinks contain glucose?

Sports drinks contain

carbohydrate in the form of sugar

(e.g., glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose) or contain no sugar and are flavored instead with low-calorie sweeteners. The specific amount of sugar and electrolytes in sports drinks is intended to allow for quick hydration and absorption.

How much glucose should be in sports drinks?

A 32-ounce sports drink contains

between 56 and 76 grams

of sugar – equal to about 14 to19 teaspoons – and four to six times the recommended daily amount for kids and teenagers.

Why should sports drinks not have a high sugar content?

Excess sugar in your sports drink can lead to many complications, including gastrointestinal (GI) distress,

decreased exercise performance

, decreased muscle function, cramping, etc.

Are sports drinks bad for you?

For people who are less active, getting extra sugar and sodium throughout the day isn’t necessary or recommended. The extra calories from a sports drink could contribute to

weight gain

. The extra sodium could increase the risk of high blood pressure over time.

What sports drink is the best for you?

  • Best Overall: NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drink. …
  • Best Low-Sugar: Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets. …
  • Best Higher-Carbohydrate: Gatorade Thirst Quencher. …
  • Best Powder: Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder. …
  • Best with Caffeine: Nuun Sport + Caffeine.

Is Gatorade bad for your kidneys?

When the body has excess sodium that the kidneys must absorb and process, the body expels calcium. This calcium, in turn, leads to kidney stones and damages the kidneys. Drinking excess sports drinks like Gatorade increases the likelihood of this happening.

Does Gatorade spike insulin?

Gatorade, for example, has a glycemic index of

89

. That’s high. A GI score of 89 means that Gatorade is rapidly digested, absorbed, and metabolized, which results in significant blood sugar fluctuations.

Which is better for you Gatorade or Powerade?


Powerade has more vitamins than Gatorade

Neither has any fat or protein. However, Gatorade contains 10 more calories and slightly more sodium than Powerade per serving. On the other hand, Powerade packs more micronutrients, including magnesium, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12, which play important roles in your body.

Is sports drinks high in sugar?

Estimates show that sports drinks comprise

about 26% of total sugar

-sweetened beverage intake in adolescents. [2] Sports drinks contain less sugar than soda and energy drinks, but still contain simple sugars.

Are sports drinks better than water?

Research has shown that the flavor of sports

drinks causes athletes to drink more than if they were consuming water alone

( 22 , 23 ). As a result, drinks that taste better may be beneficial for increasing fluid consumption in those possibly at risk of dehydration.

Are sports drinks better than soda?

“For most kids, there is no reason for them to have sports drinks,” Story said. “It’s not going to increase their physical performance. It’s not a healthy drink.” Story says a 20-ounce sports drink

may have fewer calories than a soda

, but it has more sugar and more sodium — and no nutritional value.

What drink is good for diabetes?

When it comes to selecting a drink, keep it simple. Choose water whenever possible.

Unsweetened tea and all sugar-free beverages

are also good options. Natural juices and low fat milk are generally fine in moderation.

What sports drink has the less sugar?

Gatorade is ditching sugar.

Gatorade Zero

, a thirst quencher without sugar or carbs, hit stores around the country this week. It comes in orange, lemon lime, and glacier cherry, and is priced in line with the brand’s classic sports drink.

Is coffee good for diabetics?

Some studies suggest that drinking coffee — whether caffeinated and decaffeinated —

may actually reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

. If you already have diabetes, however, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with higher or lower blood sugar levels.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.