Does Gatorade Hydrate You?

Emily Laurence
·4-min read

Go to any sports game—whether it’s a high school game or a pro one—and you’re bound to see athletes on the sidelines drinking Gatorade. It’s likely a staple at your local gym too. A sports drink made with electrolytes and sugar, it’s a go-to drink for many people who live an active lifestyle.

Maybe you’re skeptical, thinking that surely “sugar” and “sports drink” shouldn’t go together. Besides, what’s wrong with hydrating with just plain water? Here, a sports dietitian shares whether or not Gatorade is hydrating, if it’s healthy and if it’s ever possible to drink too much of it.

Related: The #1 Benefit of Drinking Water That No One's Talking About

Is Gatorade More Hydrating Than Water?

While it’s true that drinking water is an important way to hydrate the body, sports dietitian and Victorem Performance Nutrition owner Jena Brown, RD, CSSD, says that drinking Gatorade (or similar sports drinks) can be a more effective way to hydrate the body. “Gatorade may be more effective for hydrating than water because it is a sports drink with sugar and electrolytes. Cells require glucose in sugar to absorb sodium, which pulls water into the bloodstream, aiding in hydration,” she explained.

ADVERTISEMENT

Brown says that the reason why Gatorade is a go-to hydration source during workouts and sports games is because it’s a quick-acting way to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating. “Gatorade is considered an isotonic sports drink, which is similar to blood concentration," she said. "It is effective at delivering glucose to muscles quickly, which is an important energy source during exercise.”

🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊

Since Gatorade is so effective at delivering glucose to muscles quickly, Brown says that the best time to drink Gatorade is when you need a quick energy and hydration boost, but you don’t have a lot of time to do it. This could be before, during or after a workout.

Ideally, Brown says, it’s best to prepare for a workout by hydrating with water or an electrolyte beverage in advance as well as by eating foods with electrolytes, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, seaweed, dairy, dark chocolate, fatty fish, nuts and seeds. Then, you can sip Gatorade during a workout as a quick energy source.

Related: 'I Drank 8 Glasses of Water Instead of Only 3 Every Day for 2 Weeks—Here's What I Noticed Right Away'

Is It Possible to Drink Too Much Gatorade?

Even though drinking Gatorade is an effective way to stay hydrated—especially during a workout or sports game—it is possible to drink too much of it. “Gatorade was originally formulated to help athletes overcome heat and humidity during physical activity, but it has become a recreational staple in many households," Brown says. "Gatorade contains high amounts of simple sugar, which is often unnecessary outside physical activity. Too much simple sugar can lead to an increased risk of chronic health conditions."

ADVERTISEMENT

This means that it isn’t the healthiest habit to drink Gatorade instead of water all day, especially if you are sitting at your desk or on the couch instead of being active. Instead of reaping the benefits of Gatorade, it can lead to consuming too much sugar, which can negatively impact the body in many ways, including increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Related: This Is Exactly How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day if You Want To Live to 100

If you are an athlete or are training for a sports event (such as a marathon or triathlon), Brown says that it can be helpful to work with a sports dietitian to make sure you are fueling and hydrating your body properly, including before, during and after your workouts. “Hydration needs are individualized and sports drinks can be helpful for many athletes for performance. I recommend working with a sports dietitian to determine the best hydration and fueling strategy for your sport and fluid and electrolyte replacement needs,” she noted.

The verdict when it comes to if Gatorade is hydrating is this: It absolutely does hydrate the body and can even do so more effectively than water. But that doesn’t mean you should drink it exclusively. The sugar in Gatorade means it can tip over from healthy to unhealthy, especially if you aren’t living an active lifestyle. With all this in mind, it can be beneficial to use Gatorade during your workouts but to continue drinking water the rest of the time. After all, water (not Gatorade) is what most of the body is made of.

Up Next:

Related: 11 Tasty Low-Calorie Drinks to Keep You Hydrated if Water's Just Not Your Thing

Sources

Latest stories