Are GatorAde and PowerAde just marketing ploys to get us all drinking expensive Koolaid?!
Answers: Or are there actually some benefits compared to the average soft-drink?
Sports drinks are not simply a ploy and do offer some benefits. Gatorade, Power-aid, and All-sport all contain the minerals sodium, potassium, and chlorine, which are collectively referred to as electrolytes. As you workout, especially with sustained long endurance activities, your body using these nutrients relatively quickly. One advantage that these drinks have over plain water is the ability to maintain levels for proper functioning of cells.
If you are looking for the benefits of sports drinks without all the cost simply dilute pure (not artificial) fruit juice in with your regular water. It will have a similar effect, add some flavor and save you a lot of money.
No but you do not need as much as you think you need.
Gatorade was devloped by sicentist at the University Of Florida hence the name GATORade.
Any nutritionist will tell you that Gatorade and the like are sweetened with corn syrup, which basicaly negates any benefit they could have. (even if you were a runner who needed the "electrolytes")
These are great marketing ploys.
Gatorade and Powerade do have some good things but you really don't need them. It's mostly just sugar to give you a boost. Unless you're out running a marathon or your body is serously depleted of eletrolytes, you don't need to drink Gatorade.
Pretty much; look at the ingredients--it's mostly water and corn syrup! Definitely not good for you!