What’s the Difference Between Gatorade and Water? - UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (2024)

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Gatorade and Water? - UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine? ›

Gatorade is meant to be a supplement when water alone cannot replenish those electrolytes lost. During exercise, electrolytes are lost through sweat.

“Save your money and drink water,” Dr. Nish said. Water should be the primary hydration source for children and adults, and sports drinks should only be used during time of high intensity and prolonged athletic events.

Doctors don't recommend sports drinks to most, as they're typically loaded with sugar and questionable additives. Though Bodyarmor is technically healthier than its competitors, water is the god-tier hydration option.

A few studies have shown that electrolyte drinks do hydrate better than regular water^3,4, but are they necessary? The answer: only in some circ*mstances. Electrolyte drinks can be beneficial for someone who is enduring very intense exercise (75+ minutes) or when it is extremely hot in the workout environment.

Water is the best drink to satisfy thirst and replace fluid lost during exercise. Drink water before you start exercising, too. Water boasts a huge list of benefits. It's natural, free, readily available, contains no kilojoules, and contains fluoride, which is good for your teeth.

We found the taste of BodyArmor to be more soothing compared with Gatorade, which left a rather unpleasant artificial aftertaste. While the sugar content is equally high, it is more diluted and offers a greater dosage of those key electrolytes.

The Bottom Line

In comparison to Gatorade, Gatorade Fit presents a definitively healthier option for athletes and weekend warriors alike. It contains less sugar, no artificial colors, and fewer calories than the original. Plus, Gatorade Fit may provide a boost of vitamins, and it doesn't taste half bad.

Can I drink electrolyte water every day? ›

While you probably don't need to sip on an electrolyte drink throughout the day, Dr. Galvez said it's unlikely to harm you. “If you drink electrolytes and you have good kidneys, the excessive electrolytes will be eliminated by the kidneys,” explained Dr. Galvez.

“That's why it's essential to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of overconsuming electrolytes such as increased thirst, dehydration, muscle weakness, cramps, nausea, vomiting, swelling in extremities, changes in heart rhythm, confusion and increased blood pressure.”

If practice or competition lasts less than one hour, water is the best choice to stay hydrated. If the activity will last longer than one hour or is very intense, a sports drink will help your child stay hydrated, but it will also provide something that water cannot – fuel for his or her working muscles.

Yellow Gatorade is a special electrolyte beverage that contains three times more electrolytes than regular Gatorade. It has 11 percent more sodium, 25 percent more potassium, and 24 percent more magnesium than the original Gatorade. These electrolytes help sick individuals stay hydrated and recover more quickly.

Drinking water is sufficient to keep your body hydrated before, during and after a light or moderate exercise session. However, if you are taking part in a high-intensity sport session for an extended period of time or in a high-temperature environment, it is recommended that you drink Gatorade.

Although replacing the lost water won't cure your hangover, it will make it less painful. Try Gatorade or another sports drink to replenish lost electrolytes and get a bit of sugar at the same time.

Their ingredients help replace what's been lost during a strenuous workout, namely water, energy (glucose), sodium and potassium. Numerous studies show that traditional sports drinks can improve physical performance and increase the length of time that an athlete can perform or compete before reaching exhaustion.

When needing an extra “boost,” sports drinks can be an alternative to water. Sports drinks, like “Gatorade”, can help to replace electrolytes that we may lose during intense exercise, extreme heat or when sick with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, under these circ*mstances, sports drinks can be beneficial.