Developed in 1965, Gatorade was the world's first sports drink, and remains its most popular. It is scientifically formulated to replace the fluid and electrolytes lost during exercise to ensure rapid rehydration, as well as provide carbohydrate to refuel working muscles. Gatorade is the most scientifically researched sports drink in the world and the UK version contains no artificial sweeteners, flavours, or colours and no preservatives.
The Florida Gators
Gatorade was created in 1965 by doctors from the University of Florida's medical faculty after the coach of the campus football team, the 'Gators', approached them with a problem. He needed a way to prevent his players from getting dehydrated in the swamp-like heat. The medical team developed a beverage designed to re-hydrate the players more completely than water by combining essential mineral salts and carbohydrate. The drink was christened 'Gator-ade' in honour of the team it was created to help.
The Gators soon became known as the "second half team", due to their ability to dominate the second and third quarters of a game. In 1967, they succeeded in winning the Orange Bowl against the favoured opposition from Georgia Tech. When asked why his team had lost that day the famed Georgia coach Bobby Dodd, reportedly said, "We didn't have Gatorade. That made the difference."
Since then Gatorade has become the world's biggest sports drink and is used by the best athletes on the planet, from Usain Bolt to Kaka, the gridirons of the NFL to the twelve clubs of the Guinness Premiership.
What makes Gatorade unique?
Gatorade was the world's first drink to be developed specifically for athletes and those with active lifestyles. It is formulated to taste better during or immediately after physical activity and replenishes the body so that athletes can perform at the highest level for longer.
Gatorade is scientifically formulated to replace the fluid and electrolytes lost during exercise and ensure rapid rehydration. It also contains 6% carbohydrate to help fuel working muscles. And unlike any of its major competitors, Gatorade in the UK contains no artificial sweeteners, flavours, colours and no preservatives.
Gatorade in the UK
Gatorade has been widely available in the UK since Spring 2008. The UK is the first country to launch the new formulation of Gatorade which contains no artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners or preservatives. Gatorade is available in three flavours in the UK - Orange, Lemon and Blackcurrant.
Working with athletes
Gatorade fuels the performance of the world's best athletes including Usain Bolt - the fastest human on earth - and all twelve clubs of the Guinness Rugby Premiership. Advocates of Gatorade have included Frank Lampard, Michael Jordan, Kaka, Serena Williams and Ronaldinho.
Gatorade and nutrition
Gatorade is a scientifically formulated mixture of water, carbohydrates and electrolytes (minerals). Electrolytes are essential for maintaining fluid balance, helping to replace fluids and minerals that are lost through sweat and improving hydration. The key electrolyte in Gatorade is sodium.
The carbohydrates in Gatorade are sucrose and dextrose, which provide energy to working muscles to help fight fatigue and maintain a physical and mental edge. By containing more than one type of carbohydrate, Gatorade optimises sweetness, absorption and energy supply.
Gatorade contains less sugar than standard full sugar soft drinks. There is 6g of sugar per 100ml in Gatorade compared with typically 9-12g per 100ml in standard soft drinks. Gatorade is classified as a low sodium drink as it contains around 50mg of sodium per 100ml - the same as a glass of milk.
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
The Gatorade Sports Science Institute in Barrington, Illinois was established in 1988 and supports Gatorade with expertise in sports nutrition and hydration. In addition to conducting and publishing research, the GSSI also educates sports health professionals and athletes on sports nutrition and exercise.
Research conducted by GSSI scientists is regularly presented at sports science conferences, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and presented to more than 110,000 scientific, medical and educational professionals around the world through the GSSI website.
For over 20 years GSSI has used its research and expertise to develop new Gatorade products and ensure that Gatorade provides the best source of hydration and fuel for active lifestyles.
