You’ve probably heard of Gatorade.
The beverage, which can also be made into a soft drink, has been around for more than 70 years and is commonly referred to as the drink “genny caffinity” because of its popularity among Olympic athletes. Though the drink was originally created for sports players, it has since then become a popular choice among people trying to lose weight.
Does Gatorade help people lose weight? Read on to learn more.
Key Facts About Gatorade
Here are some interesting facts about Gatorade.
- In 1944, Dr. Robert Cadell, who helped improve the sports drink’s formula, noticed that a number of his patients were becoming sick from dehydration during exercise. This inspired him to create a new drink designed to address this issue.
- The original recipe for Gatorade was developed in the 1940s by a scientist named Harvey Leeman. It consisted of a blend of electrolytes, mainly sodium, and a sugar alternative called maltose. This combination was originally developed to treat burns patients, but Leeman soon found that it was also effective in reducing the amount of sugar his patients needed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
- Gatorade was first sold in the U.S. in the 1950s and is now produced in more than 40 countries. It is available in more than 160 different markets around the world. In 2015, the drink was available in more than 35,000 locations worldwide.
- Though originally designed to be consumed while playing sports, Gatorade is now most commonly associated with weight loss. In fact, the beverage was first recommended for weight loss purposes in 1964. In 2017, Nutritionists at the American Society of Nutrition warned that people could become “addicted” to the drink, especially children. The experts noted that repeated consumption of the fluid could possibly lead to health problems. They also suggested that people who want to lose weight should avoid using the drink.
- Gatorade is now available in a wide array of convenient, ready-to-drink options, including bottled water and juice.
- Research has shown that drinking a 8 ounces (250 mL) of Gatorade prior to working out could improve sports performance. However, this drink’s effects on weight loss depend on what type of exercise you’re doing. While some research suggests that the beverage could increase the amount of calories you burn, others have shown that it can help with weight loss and sports performance.
Does Gatorade Help Lose Weight?
Based on the information above, it’s clear that Gatorade is a popular choice among people trying to lose weight. The drink is available in a variety of different flavors, including orange, lemon, and lime. Some people prefer to drink it simply due to its popularity among sports participants. However, this beverage can also be effective in helping people lose weight, especially since the scientific community hasn’t determined whether or not it causes weight gain. In fact, some research has shown that consuming Gatorade could help with sports performance and weight loss while others have not found these benefits.
- In one study, researchers looked at the effects of Gatorade versus a placebo on 14 male participants, all of whom were obese, while they performed a 25-minute indoor cycle test. Afterward, the participants’ bodies were analyzed to determine the amount of calories they had burned. The results of the study showed that the athletes who drank Gatorade during the test period burned 7% more calories than those who drank the placebo. However, the calorie values for both groups were below the normal range.
- In a different study, researchers compared the effects of Gatorade to a placebo on 24 obese, young adults while they ate a lunch containing either 380 or 420 calories. The participants in this study were also asked to drink either 5 or 7 ounces (150 or 175 mL) of the beverage during the 60 minutes prior to and after their meal. The results of this experiment showed that consuming Gatorade increased the amount of calories the participants in this group were able to burn by 6% compared to those who drank the placebo. Furthermore, those who drank the higher volume of Gatorade were able to burn a higher amount of calories (13% more calories on average).
- This study, which was published in 2017 and involved 18 participants, found that those who drank seven ounces (175 mL) of Gatorade prior to exercising were able to increase their calorie burn by 17% compared to those who drank five ounces (125 mL) or the placebo. Furthermore, the study showed that the higher the sugar content of the Gatorade, the better it performed in terms of increasing the amount of calories burned by the participants. This makes sense since the beverage is a combination of sugar and electrolytes, both of which contribute to energy expenditure. Though this study did not specifically examine the effects of Gatorade on weight loss, it did show that consuming it improved the participants’ physical performance, which could ultimately lead to quicker weight loss.
- In yet another study, researchers compared the effects of Gatorade vs. a placebo on 12 male participants while they performed a 25-minute indoor cycle test. The results of this study showed that those who drank Gatorade during the test period burned 4% more calories than those who drank the placebo. However, the calorie values for both groups were also below the normal range.
- Though Gatorade has been shown to help with sports performance and weight loss in several studies, it should be noted that in most cases, the participants in these studies were all obese, meaning that the results can’t necessarily be applied to those who are trying to lose weight. In addition, all of the studies compared Gatorade to a placebo and none specifically looked at whether or not the drink was beneficial for weight loss. This makes it difficult to determine whether or not Gatorade is actually helping people lose weight, especially since the studies were not designed to do this. In most cases, the beverage seems to be effective in improving sports performance and lowering the amount of sugar the participants need to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
- It should also be noted that in all of the studies above, the participants were asked to avoid any kind of strenuous activity or drinking alcohol while taking part in the experiments. Following this advice could help ensure that the results represent the true effects of Gatorade rather than any kind of confounding variables.
Which Type Of Exercise Benefits From Consuming Gatorade?
Based on the studies above, it should come as no surprise that Gatorade is most effective at helping people lose weight in the context of sports. This makes sense since the drink was originally designed to be consumed while playing sports and it can also be used to treat exercise-related dehydration. Though it can also be used to treat this issue in non-sports settings, the effectiveness of Gatorade in improving sports performance and reducing the amount of sugar the participants need to maintain healthy blood glucose levels makes it a popular choice for those trying to lose weight.