Short answer
If you are extremely active and are concerned with dehydration and electrolyte loss, then Gatorade can be beneficial. If you are not an athlete consuming Gatorade for its intended purpose, there are many negative effects that can result.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Electrolytes regulate nerve and muscle function. As the level of electrolytes goes down when water levels go down, sweating from strenuous exercise causes an imbalance in these important elements. Gatorade was invented at the University of Florida in 1965 for this specific reason. Researchers wanted a quick way for athletes to keep up their electrolytes and be able to perform at peak level. If used as originally intended, then Gatorade does its job well, providing hydration and supplying much-needed electrolytes.
The problem, however, is that when not used as originally intended, Gatorade can actually be harmful to one’s health. For one, Gatorade’s second ingredient (after water) is sugar. While natural sugars are fine, it is the added sugars in Gatorade that are problematic, as they lead to such problems as tooth decay, obesity, and coronary heart disease. Other additives that may be problematic include monopotassium phosphate (used in plant fertilizer) and brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as a build-up of bromine in the body can lead to thyroid problems. There is also the risk of developing hypervitaminosis A due to excess Vitamins. This can lead to fatigue, headache, dizziness, and most commonly nausea. Yet another concern is the 400-800g (depending on what kind) of sodium contained in just one bottle of Gatorade. Excess consumption of salt can result in hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, and although rare, stroke.
While Gatorade may be great for athletes in high impact situations, it can be potentially lethal for people drinking it as a regular beverage. Of course, having one bottle of Gatorade here and there shouldn't do any harm. Most side effects are only seen when it becomes a regular part of your diet.
Possible short-term side effects
- headache
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nausea
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dizziness
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fatigue
Possible long-term side effects
- hypertension
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hypervitaminosis a
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stroke
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heart disease
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hypernatremia
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tooth decay
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type 2 diabetes
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obesity
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- provides hydration
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restores electrolyte balance
Healthy Gatorade alternatives
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