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The colors of Gatorade not only look good, they help you tell the flavors apart by sight. The colors are permitted for use in beverages by the FDA and are added at the lowest possible level to achieve the desired color. [There is no evidence to support the notion that these colors are cancer-causing.]

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3. Why don't you make Gatorade with Nutrasweet?

Because there is no benefit to adding Nutrasweet to Gatorade. The rapid absorption of Gatorade is dependent on the presence of carbohydrates and sodium. The carbohydrates in Gatorade also provide energy to active muscles. Nutrasweet, a non-nutritive sweetener generically known as aspartame, is not a carbohydrate and can not confer similar benefits.

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4. Can diabetics drink Gatorade?

Yes, Gatorade can be consumed by diabetics with the same precautions that normally apply to the ingestion of carbohydrates. Gatorade can be particularly helpful for physically active diabetics who must consume a source of carbohydrate during exercise. An eight-ounce* glass of Gatorade contains approximately 14 grams of carbohydrate (8 oz. of Gatorade has approximately the same carbohydrate content as 4 oz. (240 ml) of fruit juice). Gatorade can provide a readily absorbable source of carbohydrate to help diabetics maintain their blood sugar level during exercise. In addition, the rapid fluid replacement that Gatorade provides can help diabetics and everyone else remain well-hydrated. However, as with any health problem, a physician should always be consulted to confirm what is best for the individual. *A 400 ml serving contains approximately 24 grams of carbohydrate, or roughly 6g per 100 ml.

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5. Is Gatorade safe for children and infants?

Any child who can drink fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, and similar beverages can drink Gatorade. In fact, scientific research shows that physically active children will drink more Gatorade than water and therefore stay better hydrated. (Adults also benefit in a similar fashion.) Gatorade provides about half the calories of an identical serving size of fruit juice or soft drink. By U.S. FDA standards, an eight-ounce serving of Gatorade is a low-sodium food. Gatorade has 110 mg of sodium, the same as an eight-ounce glass of milk or one slice of bread. Infants Gatorade does not pose any risk to infants; however, because an infant's fluids needs are normally met by drinking breast milk or formula, consumption of beverages other than formula or breast milk may deprive the infant of additional necessary nutrients (e.g. fat, protein and vitamins) . Children who are ill Pediatricians often recommend Gatorade for children that are suffering from mild dehydration due to diarrhea or the flu. However, as is the case with any illness, it is best to consult a pediatrician to determine the best needs of the child.

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6. How long can Gatorade be kept in the refrigerator after it has been opened?

Under normal conditions, Gatorade will stay freshest about one week in a refrigerator after it has been opened.

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7. What is the shelf life of Gatorade?

Gatorade has a shelf life of approximately one year from its production.

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8. Why doesn't Gatorade use open-code 'best-used by' dating?

Gatorade is in the process of evaluating an open-dating system. Internationally, all countries except China, Australia, some Japanese products, Puerto Rico and Mexico, use an open code date.

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9. Why doesn't Gatorade contain fruit juice?

Fruit juice does not provide any functional benefit to Gatorade.

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10. I like Gatorade, but I'm not very active. Can I still drink it?

Yes. Although Gatorade is specifically formulated to benefit physically active people, anyone can enjoy Gatorade. Gatorade has about half the calories of fruit juices or soft drinks. Gatorade is considered a low-sodium beverage, containing 110 mg of sodium per 8 oz serving.

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11. Is Gatorade Kosher certified?

No.

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12. What is brominated vegetable oil? What is its purpose? Does it add fat calories to the product?

Brominated vegetable oil works to disperse oil-based citrus flavors uniformly throughout the product. The oil, which typically comes from soy beans, is present in such small amounts that it does not add to the calorie content of Gatorade.

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13. Are the plastic Gatorade bottles recyclable?

Yes, in areas where appropriate recycling facilities exist. Gatorade is packaged in recyclable aluminum cans, glass bottles, and 32 oz, 64 oz. and gallon plastic containers (PET #1 polyethylene terephthalate). Sport bottles and some of the 32 and 64 oz. bottles are made in part with recycled material. Aseptic Packaging Aseptic cartons (sometimes referred to as juice boxes) require less energy to make, transport, and store than many comparable packaging alternatives. Gallon Bottle The gallon bottle has been changed to PET plastic, making it easily recyclable. Caps Gatorade plastic caps are recyclable and are made of polypropylene. These caps do not contain PVC, with the exception of some of the caps used on gallon containers. Most PVC is not accepted in most recycling programs. The metal caps on the glass bottles are made of steel, but metal caps are not accepted in the majority of current recycling programs.

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14. What percentage of Gatorade is glucose?

Gatorade is a 6% carbohydrate solution (14 grams/8 oz. or 60 grams/liter). The formula requires a blend of carbohydrates, one of which is glucose, the carbohydrate most readily used by the human body. Gatorade also contains small amounts of sucrose and fructose, carbohydrates that add to the sweetness of Gatorade, assist in stimulating rapid fluid absorption, and also provide energy to active muscles.

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15. Does Gatorade contain iodine?

No.

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16. What is in Gatorade that quenches your thirst?

Gatorade quenches thirst through a unique combination of 6% carbohydrates, minerals lost through sweat and water. Thirst is quenched when we swallow enough fluid to relieve the dry feeling in our mouths and replace the fluids lost as sweat. However, unlike drinking plain water, Gatorade quenches "deep down body thirst" by: Encouraging voluntary fluid consumption when people are hot and thirsty. Gatorade is less sweet than soft drinks or fruit juices, a characteristic that is more appealing to people in hot and sweaty conditions. Gatorade contains a small amount of sodium that encourages people to drink beyond the point at which mouth thirst is satisfied, which is an inaccurate predictor of our hydration status. Stimulating rapid fluid absorption. The unique formulation of Gatorade allows it to empty the stomach as fast as water. Once in the small intestine, Gatorade's combination of sodium and glucose stimulates rapid absorption across the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Maintaining important physiological responses. Drinking Gatorade helps people avoid dehydration and it can thereby help people to avoid other problems such as heat cramps, light-headedness or fainting (heat syncope), heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Supplying carbohydrate energy to active muscles. The 6% carbohydrate solution in Gatorade not only provides the optimal formulation to assure fast rehydration, but speeds energy in the form of carbohydrate to working muscles, which helps to enhance physical performance. Assuring rapid and complete rehydration. The Gatorade formulation helps the body to absorb fluid fast, and maintain fluids longer, causing more-complete rehydration than when drinking water alone. Sodium is important is this regard.

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17. What is the osmolality of Gatorade?

Osmolality is an index of the number of particles in a solution and is a characteristic of all fluid solutions. For example, the osmolality of regular soft drinks is about twice that of Gatorade because soft drinks contain about twice as much sugar. The osmolality of Gatorade ranges between 280 to 360 milliosmols per kilogram of water, which is similar to the osmolality of human blood (280-300 osmotic units). This is important because transferring fluids and nutrients to the blood is easiest when the composition of both is similar. Hence, Gatorade is considered an isotonic solution. Beverages with a greater carbohydrate content than Gatorade are hypertonic.

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18. Is there any caffeine in Gatorade?

No. Caffeine is a diuretic (increases urine production) and can hinder rehydration when consumed before or after exercise.

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19. Why is Gatorade better than water?

Gatorade is formulated to be even more effective for occasions when not only fluid replacement, but also carbohydrate and electrolyte replacement is desirable–such as for athletes in training or competition or workers or anyone engaged in vigorous physical activity in a hot environment. Gatorade is mostly composed of a combination of carbohydrates, minerals and water. Plain water will not replace the electrolytes (sodium and potassium) that the body loses through sweat, nor will it replace any energy. Gatorade replaces both. We know from both research and experience that hot and sweaty people prefer a beverage with the flavor characteristics of Gatorade–lightly sweetened and light-tasting. Good taste encourages people to drink more–the front line against dehydration The small amount of sodium in Gatorade also encourages an individual to drink more, which is important because the thirst mechanism is an inaccurate predictor of actual fluid needs. Sodium also allows the body to retain fluid better after it has been consumed. The combination of carbohydrate and fluid in Gatorade enhances performance.

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20. Are any of these ingredients in Gatorade? What is their function?

Lactose

Gatorade is lactose-free.

Gluten

Gatorade is gluten-free.

Natural flavors

Gatorade contains natural flavors, which means the flavors are from natural–not synthetic–sources. NO FRUIT JUICE/NATURAL FLAVORS: Flavor chemists have developed methods to extract flavorings from natural sources. While the fruit flavor is present the actual fruit juice is not an ingredient.

Ester

Ester gum is used as a weighting agent, which adjusts the density of the product and helps ensure complete dispersion of the flavor. This weighting agent gives Gatorade its cloudy appearance, which is done for consumer appeal. The amount in Gatorade is extremely small totaling only 1/100 of 1 % of the overall volume. The watermelon, grape and lemon ice varieties of Gatorade have no cloud because no ester gum is present in these flavors.

Sulfites

Gatorade is sulfite-free.

Corn ALL

Gatorade flavors contain corn products in that they contain corn syrup.

Sodium citrate

Sodium citrate is used to regulate tartness. The amount in Gatorade is very small, totaling 1/10 of 1% of the overall volume.

Monopotassium phosphate.

An isotonic beverage like Gatorade must provide potassium and sodium in a manner compatible with electrolytes in the body. This is a source of potassium.

All GATORADE flavors are: wheat-, oat-, rye-and barley-gluten free, lactose free, caffeine free and MSG free.

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MISCONCEPTIONS ANSWERED

21. Gatorade is not more effective if you add water.

Gatorade is made with the exact balance of water, minerals and carbohydrates to replace lost fluids as fast as possible. Diluting Gatorade with water (or anything else) reduces its ability to be absorbed quickly into your system.

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22. Watered-down fruit juice is not better than Gatorade.

Besides water, fruit juice contains only flavoring and possibly Vitamin C, neither of which help water become absorbed into your system quickly. Adding more water to fruit juice only helps the water taste a little better.

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23. All sports drinks are not as effective as Gatorade.

Gatorade is formulated with the proper ingredients to rehydrate your body quickly when youUre losing fluids and minerals through sweat. For thirty years, Gatorade scientists have studied the effectiveness of Gatorade and have made minor adjustments to achieve the optimal blend of water, minerals, and carbohydrates. No other drink — of any kind — has this much science behind it.

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Gatorade is a division of The Quaker Oats Company

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