Why I Drink Gatorade

In 1965, a coach for the University of Florida football team — the Gators — noticed that his players were being affected by heat-related illnesses. The coach then asked a team of physicians to determine the exact cause for his players falling ill. The physicians discovered that the team was losing more fluids than they could replenish. That’s when Gatorade was invented.

Why is Gatorade better than water? Gatorade contains electrolytes. Electrolytes are chemicals such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and other key nutrients that aid in the function and overall health of our cells. They help improve hydration by directing water to the parts of the body where it’s needed and by maintaining fluid balance inside the cells. Electrolytes get their name from the act of sending electrical charges to muscles to help them move and contract. (This is true of Gatorade and other brands similar to it.)

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I’ve been criticized for drinking Gatorade. They say it has too much salt and sodium for someone who isn’t active. But for a person like me, whose muscles and cells don’t function properly, the electrolytes in Gatorade help keep my heart rate steady and my body hydrated. I do, however, drink the G2 version, which has half the calories but still gets the job done.

Gatorade  is something that is always in stock at my house, but I don’t drink it only. I break it up with other beverages about every other hour. When my family and I are out and about, I have a water bottle holder that’s attached to my wheelchair, so I can easily stay hydrated on the go.

I’m not a doctor, and I’m not trying to promote Gatorade as a cure for muscle disease. I’m simply explaining how it benefits me in hopes of helping people to understand my point of view.

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