Is Gatorade bad for you?

[Jesus Pimp]

I would like to know because I've discovered it makes my body more hydrated than water does.

[Sparhawk]

It's not bad for you, just remember to factor in the sugar in there into your daily totals.

[Plan9Senior]

Its just koolaid with a different name.

[bellzboy]

You can overload on electrolytes if you drink a few gallons while not exercising. Other than that you're pretty safe.

[Sleepyjack]

I like the claims that it rehydrates you n% more or faster than water. Who cares? I'd rather save my money and just drink water

It could be a pshycological thing as well. just imagine water hydrates you 30% more than gatorade and then see how you feel. You should put a brand name on the bottle as well, like waterade or something
Reminds me of the little thing in the cartoon movie Space Jam
and bugs bunny was giving someone some of his special drink and they then played really well. All it was, was water

[hobo]

well, gatorate does hydrate you better because it is isotonic with blood or something like that.

[blizzak]

yeah it definitely does hydrate you faster and more effectively than water....really good for a hangover...heh of course I wouldn't know anything about that

[Inexistance]

I never thought about it as a good hangover remover!

[kopfschuss]

hang over fixer upper? I like that idea..never thought about it. Good call blizzak. And i think it would be cheaper to do the whole mind-over-matter thing like sleepyjack suggested, but it isnt a whole lot more expensive than bottlees wter and works better.

[blizzak]

yeah one of the food scientists at my university did studies on hangover cures....of course the best thing is the new hangover pills that they have which actually detox the body
however, a couple of tylenols (or your aspirin of choice, whatever it might be) and a gatorade either before you goto bed or after you wake up really do help; you get rehydrated from the gatorade and the aspirin helps relieve the pain

[raeanna74]

When the body get dehydrated it looses essential minerals including sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate and phosphate. Gateraid has sodium, potassium and phosphate in it to help replace those lost. In most cases you can prevent dehydration by eating right and drinking plenty of water. Taking a multivitamin with these minerals can help too. In a recovery position where you are already dehydrated then gateraid can be helpful in restoring you. I have dealt with heat stroke more than once when I did roofing jobs. It was impossible to remain hydrated even when drinking gallons of water. Gateraid helped me recover faster - especially after throwing up. The first time I suffered Heat Stroke the Dr told us that the body can completely absorb a tablespoon of water every 3 minutes. If you do end up with heat stroke it is not a good idea to guzzle the water. Sipping it constantly and finding a way to outwardly cool your body is the best route. If you drink too rapidly you will throw up. Also taking salt tablets can help or you can drink gateraid.

Yes there are sugars in gateraid and your body has to filter the "impurities" out of the water before it can use all of it. It might be good to alternate between plain water and gateraid.

Gateraid can be good for your body but only when used in moderation and used properly. Take care of your body and you don't really NEED gateraid.

[Redlemon]

I seem to recall an article that said water and a banana gives you everything and more compared to a sports drink.

[debaser]

If you are drinking water to rehydrate, drink it at room temperature, your body will be able to absorb it much faster.

[bing bing]

It's at the least, bad for your teeth.

[thingstodo]

A few things here.

First, a banana does do a good job replacing potasium and slightly for some of the other salts.

Second, your body measures the level of fluid based on conductivity, which is how much electricity it can conduct. When you drink or sweat, you lose electrolytes. When drinking, your body seals up to retain fluids, even though it has plenty. That's why you have a headache and cotton mouth - you are sealed up and retaining too much water. Drink a quart of any sports drink before bed and never have a hangover.

Third, you need to do some serious exercise - and sweat a lot - for 45-60 minutes before you need to replace electrolytes. Otherwise, water if just dandy. I drop about 2 pounds of fluid in a one hour spin class and use something called Cytomax. There are other good products out there like this for sports drinks that do a little more than just add the salts. They help with sugars and some of the free radical effects of serious exercise.

[animosity]

yea... so I google'd gateraid and this was the first link. It made me smile so big.

Anywho, I'm my expirience gaterade helps hydrate a lot better then water when one is really working out heavily. I used to work out 2-3 hours a day, and w/o that extra boost I couldn't do it. But I only drink it when I am working out.

I drink orange juice for hangovers.

[Val_1]

Gatoraid isn't bad for you. It just isn't really that good for you. Salty sugar water and extra calories (though it is lower in calories than soda pop). Works good for hangovers, but unless you sweat ALOT, it isn't really needed for working out. For working out, drink water and eat a healthy diet.

[animosity]

Originally Posted by Val_1

Gatoraid isn't bad for you. It just isn't really that good for you. Salty sugar water and extra calories (though it is lower in calories than soda pop). Works good for hangovers, but unless you sweat ALOT, it isn't really needed for working out. For working out, drink water and eat a healthy diet.

I sweat a lot... it pours off me.

[superiorrain]

nothing is really bad for you in the food and drinks market, it is all about the quantity consumed. I'm sure gatorade would be bad for you if thats all you drank as is wine or coke. Strangely enough water isn't... hmmm i'll stick to that then oh and tea and coffee because they're yummy.

[Faygo]

One of my freinds swears by the gatoraide saltwater mixture. He pours maybe 1/4 out of a bottle and adds saltwater. I have no clue if it works or not

For hangovers pedialite is the best.

[winsecure]

Gatorade (along with the other sports drinks out there) really does help to rehydrate yourself faster than plain water. That said, most people that drink enough water during the day (most of us don't) really have no need for Gatorade vs. water.

I do triathlons... Gatorade is definitely indispensible for me on the long events and long workouts. This is both because of the hydrating action as well as the additional fuel (calories).

If you're drinking the Gatorade for the fuel, it does help to add a small amount of protein mix to it. Having protein present increases the uptake speed of carbohydrates. It may help with absorption of the liquid too, but I'm not positive on that.

[typhus]

Someone once told me that too many electrolytes can contribute to early hair loss. I'm sure he was talking out of his ass though. Has anyone else heard that?

[thecoldone33]

I only drink gatorade when im about to do somthing that uses energy. and even then i drink it with water. Gatorate with a seperate glass of water is a killer combo.

[hilbert25]

Premade gatorade is usually too sweet. Too much sugar. It seems about double the concentration used by most athletic facilities (and probably what they use for tests). That being said, dilute gatorade by 50% with water and it's actually rather good and to me it definitely tastes a lot better than water.

[aintyoboyfriend]

gatoraid<hangover

It really does kick the dehydration, and clears up your head.

[omega2K4]

I don't drink it often, I just like mixing it with booze.

[thingstodo]

Originally Posted by blizzak

yeah it definitely does hydrate you faster and more effectively than water....really good for a hangover...heh of course I wouldn't know anything about that

Actually, it is much more effective as a hangover preventer. Just drink a quart before going to bed. It replaces all the electrolytes you piss away. Loss of those prevent your body from being able to measure the fluid so it shuts downa nd stores, which is why you have a headache and cotton mouth, and more water makes you feel bad but salty green aggs, ham and salty hash browns taste good.

[ibis]

Try grabing the mix at Walmart. Not only is it tons cheaper then buying individual bottles, when mixed as reccomended, it seems much less sweet.

[snowy]

It is definitely my no. 1 hangover cure...and people don't believe me when I tell them, but I've turned several of my friends on to it as well. Mmmm, Gatorade. I buy the fatty bottles of Lemon Lime and guzzle one before going to bed, and then drink water throughout the night. No hangover!

[Bauer_Power]

Gatoraid is superior to water if you are trying to stay hydrated during activity, like playing soccer or football. If you are just training in the gym, go with water. Gatoraid has carbs, wich gives you energy, but turns to fat if you do not use them. IF you are trying to get ripped, go with water in the gym. If you want a couple more snaps in teh game before coach takes you out, go with gatoraid.

[pinoychink790]

anything is bad for you if you have too much of it

[Grasshopper Green]

I have no idea if its bad for you or not, but I have a new hangover prevention tip!!

[pinoychink790]

live off of gatorade. never drink any other liquid other than gatorade. then i'll ask "is it bad for you?" in 30 years or so

[soccerchamp76]

It does contain the sodium and potassium as well as electrolytes that you lose sweating and pissing (after drinking).
As a hangover tip, just keep a small bottle of Gatorade by your bed so when you come home it is easily accessible. Take two aspiring, guzzle the Gatorade, and go to bed.
As an exercise tip, just drink the Gatorade as you would water during exercise. Keep in mind the calories if you are exercising to lose weight. If then, you would be better off with water and a multi-vitamin (during breakfast).

[KirStang]

I don't know if I've told this story before, but when I used to breakdance in my friends garage, I would always get a headaches due to the insane heat and all the energy we were burning up. We'd burn up like a gallon of water per hour, but we'd always end up w/ headaches...

However, once I decided to try propel instead of water, and it actually made a large difference. Not only did it provide energy to keep going, ti also hydrated us better. Thus I must conclude that for high intensity/cardio workouts, gatorade is your best options. For weight-lifting though, i would stick with water.

P.S. It's Gatorade...not Gaterade...

[pinkie]

Anything with refined sugar in it is bad for you...