What keeps us hydrated?
Gatorade prides itself on replenishing athletes with the necessary vitamins, sugars and fluids to keep them strong. However, as the billion-dollar industry continues to grow, so does skepticism regarding its ability to enhance performance any greater than the effect of a simple, and much cheaper, bottle of water. Following their own dietary habits, athletes disagree on the effects of Gatorade versus water and other protein supplements. The argument behind these expensive drinks is that each chemical helps replace electrolytes the body loses during exercise. In a document published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, doctors encouraged the use of sports drinks for events lasting longer than one hour. However, when exercise lasts for less time, the document states water is “generally fine.” Catherine O’Brien of the Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, U.S. Army, stresses that hydration is key to top performance and athletes drinking water during exercis
