Gatorade companies suggest athletes should only consume drink if they workout often and for long periods of time. The author writes, “A 12 oz. serving of Gatorade’s Thirst Quencher contains 21 grams of sugar. But because a regular bottle of Gatorade contains 32 oz., you’re actually getting 56 grams of sugar. The extra calories from a sports drink could contribute to weight gain, and the extra sodium could increase the risk of high blood pressure over time” (Schaefer). If an athlete is not doing an intense workout the sugar they are taking in is not going to help them re-energize, it is just storing the fat inside of you and causing you to gain weight. Another side effect would be high blood pressure, which is caused by high amounts of salts and in Gatorade, there is 800milligrams which is 33% of what you should be consuming daily (Schaefer). Yes, you lose sodium when you sweat, but if you are taking it during and hours before your workout that sodium will just sit and it will not replenish your body. However, if you take it after a workout as suggested, it will help your body function better and give it new energy. Sodium and potassium are in the electrolytes category and as stated electrolytes are vital for our bodily fluids and help prevent muscles from cramping up after intense workouts while helping keep the body well hydrated. I personally use to run long hours and endure intense running workouts so I found Gatorade to be effective in my recovery afterward. I did not feel amazing, but I did not feel as exhausted and did not have cramps after. My muscles felt relaxed and the sugar in the Gatorade helped my recovery time during intervals of running because I did not feel so
Gatorade companies suggest athletes should only consume drink if they workout often and for long periods of time. The author writes, “A 12 oz. serving of Gatorade’s Thirst Quencher contains 21 grams of sugar. But because a regular bottle of Gatorade contains 32 oz., you’re actually getting 56 grams of sugar. The extra calories from a sports drink could contribute to weight gain, and the extra sodium could increase the risk of high blood pressure over time” (Schaefer). If an athlete is not doing an intense workout the sugar they are taking in is not going to help them re-energize, it is just storing the fat inside of you and causing you to gain weight. Another side effect would be high blood pressure, which is caused by high amounts of salts and in Gatorade, there is 800milligrams which is 33% of what you should be consuming daily (Schaefer). Yes, you lose sodium when you sweat, but if you are taking it during and hours before your workout that sodium will just sit and it will not replenish your body. However, if you take it after a workout as suggested, it will help your body function better and give it new energy. Sodium and potassium are in the electrolytes category and as stated electrolytes are vital for our bodily fluids and help prevent muscles from cramping up after intense workouts while helping keep the body well hydrated. I personally use to run long hours and endure intense running workouts so I found Gatorade to be effective in my recovery afterward. I did not feel amazing, but I did not feel as exhausted and did not have cramps after. My muscles felt relaxed and the sugar in the Gatorade helped my recovery time during intervals of running because I did not feel so