Is Gatorade Good for Weight Loss? (Here’s the Truth…!)

Are you looking out for the best sports drink that doesn’t hamper your weight loss? Or, are you confused about Gatorade being a good weight loss drink or not?

Whatever may be the bafflement around Gatorade, we will cover all possible questions related to this sports drink. 

Gatorade has been one of the leading beverage brands since 1965. It contains the perfect combination of sugar and electrolytes that give an instant kick of energy and hydration before or after the workout. However, people are now concerned about the risk factors or the effects it would have on their weight loss journey.

In this article, we will talk about whether Gatorade is good for weight loss. We will also make a comparison between Gatorade and Gatorade zero. Besides, we will also shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of this popular sports drink. Stay intact to get all the Gatorade related information.

Is Gatorade Good for Weight Loss?

No, Gatorade is not good for weight loss because of its high-sugar and high-calorie content.

Talking of the nutritional facts, you will consume 140 calories in 32 Oz of Gatorade drink, ultimately leading to weight gain. So, to lose weight, you should avoid consuming this sports drink during or after the workout.

Gatorade contains a high amount of sugar per serving, which promotes weight gain. Ingredient-wise, 32 Oz of Gatorade contains 34 grams of sugar, which is more than the USDA’s prescribed sugar limit for men and women (no more than 10 teaspoons of sugar a day). If you don’t burn the calories you consume through this sports drink, it will be stored as fat, leading to a gain in weight.

The high sugar content in this sports drink also poses a serious threat to people suffering from diabetes and obesity. Other risks involved in consuming high-sugar drinks are;

• Consumers can become obese
• Excessive consumption of the drink can lead to diabetes
• Increased consumption of electrolytes can lead to kidney problems
• Children can experience tooth decay
• High risk of heart problems
• Excessive consumption of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of a heart stroke.

Most importantly, Gatorade holds a value of 78 on the glycemic index chart, which means it can raise your blood sugar levels fast. Therefore, Gatorade isn’t suitable for people who aim to lose weight. However, to avoid the calories and sugar, you can switch to the low-calorie or zero-calorie version of the drink.

Which is Better for Weight Loss: Gatorade or Gatorade zero?

Gatorade zero is better for weight loss because of its zero-sugar content.

Gatorade is a trendy sports drink. However, with time, people started questioning its high-sugar content and its negative impact on their weight loss journey.

Looking at the conscious behavior of the customers, the company launched Gatorade zero a few years back. The product hit the supermarket with the biggest claim of Gatorade-zero being a no-sugar energy drink.

Gatorade zero is a zero-calorie sports drink that helps stabilize your electrolytes without adding to your body weight. Therefore, Gatorade-zero is a better sports drink if you are on your journey to lose weight.

Comparing Regular Gatorade and Gatorade Zero for Weight Loss?

Nutritional Value

Ingredients

What are the Advantages of Drinking Gatorade?

Gatorade is a popular drink, and people who have been consuming it for a long time vouch for its benefits.

This sports drink contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium that restock the body’s fluids, making you feel active and fresh. It is known for various other benefits that we’ll discuss in detail below.

Stabilizes electrolytes

Gatorade contains electrolytes, which include minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These minerals help maintain the fluid levels inside and outside cells in the membrane permeabilities.

When we work out and sweat, our body continuously loses the minerals which bring down our energy. And drinks like Gatorade replenish the lost electrolytes to make our body feel energetic.

Technically, people usually lose 3-4 liters of necessary fluid in a warm environment. Gatorade refills this fluid to prevent dehydration.

Provides hydration

Dehydration or loss of necessary fluids can lead to cramps, low blood pressure, fatigue, and even a heart stroke in the worst case. To avoid such mishappenings, Gatorade provides the necessary fluids which compensate for the loss of electrolytes (through sweat) during the workout.

Gatorade contains high levels of sodium, which hydrates your body instantly after continuous sweat loss.

Boosts energy

Gatorade provides energy to your body instantly. This sports drink contains carbohydrates that provide the instant energy required to complete an intense workout.

Our body needs ATP (currency of energy) during the workout, and this ATP is mainly produced from carbohydrates. Gatorade fuels the muscles when they get deprived of energy during the workout.

Reduces muscle pain

It is pretty common to experience muscle cramps after heavy exercises. This happens because the body loses water through sweat, comprising sodium and potassium, leading to dehydration. Another reason for cramps is the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles due to fatigue.

Gatorade compensates for the loss of electrolytes, preventing cramps and muscle pain.

Taste improves your mood

Most fitness enthusiasts love Gatorade because of its taste. The flavorful taste of this energy drink not only provides you with the required energy but also uplifts your mood in between intense workout sessions.

Besides, the makers of Gatorade also claim that this drink increase thirst, making the consumers drink more water and gain more hydration.

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What are the Disadvantages of Drinking Gatorade?

Gatorade is a sports drink manufactured to provide instant energy through carbohydrates and sugar. It is widely consumed by individuals actively involved in sports or athletics.

However, when people who live a sedentary lifestyle consume this drink regularly, it can have adverse effects, too.

Let’s look at some common disadvantages of prolonged consumption of the Gatorade.

Weight gain

A standard bottle of Gatorade containing 591ml of content has 130 calories. Such a high-calorie drink will definitely lead to weight gain if you do not burn excess calories daily.

Therefore, if you aim to lose weight, Gatorade may not be a good choice.

Raised blood sugar level

Most people have now switched to Gatorade zero because of the high content of sugar in Gatorade. For your information, the standard bottle of Gatorade contains 34 grams of sugar, which is enough to raise blood sugar levels.

Many of you will compare it with the lost sugar during the workout. But, 34 grams is too much to compensate for the loss, increasing blood sugar levels in most people.

This is the reason why experts advise consuming Gatorade in moderate quantities.

High blood pressure

In a standard bottle of Gatorade, you get one-third of the daily sodium dosage. Hence, people who consume more than this quantity usually take more sodium than required.

In the worst-case scenario, this over-dose of sodium can lead to increased blood pressure and even a heart stroke.

Therefore, yet again, we emphasize consuming Gatorade in moderation.

Can I Drink Gatorage Zero Instead of Water?

No, you should not drink Gatorade Zero instead of water, especially when you don’t have an active lifestyle.

Drinking too much Gatorade means drinking too much sodium, which can be harmful for your body. Gatorade contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and excess intake of these nutrients can lead to dizziness, nausea, and irregular heartbeats resulting from kidney function problems.

Besides, when you drink too much of a sports drink like Gatorade, your blood pressure can rise above normal, potentially leading to heart attack and kidney ailments.

According to the American Heart Association, an adult should consume at least 91 ounces of water daily, and the ones who exercise vigorously should increase their water consumption to 125 ounces per day.

Which Gatorade is the Healthiest?

Coming to the most-asked question, which Gatorade is the healthiest? Gatorade zero is any day healthier than Gatorade.

Considering the nutritional value and the ingredients of both drinks, the answer is simple. Gatorade zero is the healthiest of both versions. Let’s look at some of the reasons.

• Gatorade zero doesn’t contains carbs, which makes it a low-calorie drink. On the other hand, a 12-ounce bottle of Gatorade has 80 calories, making it unhealthy for individuals working out to lose weight.
• Gatorade zero is an excellent choice for people looking for a healthy beverage to stay hydrated, as it has zero sugar. On the other hand, Gatorade isn’t healthy because of its sugar content (22 grams in a 12-ounce bottle).
• Gatorade zero is a great drink for people who fear putting on weight, as a 12-ounce bottle contains less than a gram of carbohydrates. Whereas, the same quantity of Gatorade gives you 22 grams of carbs that can add to your current body weight.

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Final Thoughts

Gatorade is a power drink unless your consumption gets over the limit. Most people consume Gatorade because of its ability to provide you with instant energy. However, if you do not consume this drink in moderation, it may lead to adverse effects like weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels.

Now, the most critical question is, does Gatorade help you lose weight?

No, Gatorade cannot help you lose weight. Instead, you can gain weight if you have an inactive lifestyle or consume too much Gatorade.

Most people get benefitted from this drink if they consume it:-

• After an intense workout
• Trying to cure stomach flu
• Trying to get over a hangover

So, to avoid the adverse effect, consume Gatorade in moderate quantities or switch to Gatorade zero for better results.