Why does gatorade make me thirsty

Hyponatremia, or low sodium levels, can cause nausea and vomiting, fatigue and muscle weakness, confusion and, in more severe cases, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Working with sodium, potassium and water, chloride primarily functions in regulating the balance of fluids in your body. Your body can lose chloride through excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of low chloride, or hypochloremia, may include high levels of sodium in your blood and dehydration, per the U.

Gatorade does not list how much chloride is included in its formulas. The most common cause of muscle cramps during sports activity is dehydration, according to the U. Working out when you're dehydrated or when you have low levels of minerals, like potassium and calcium, can make you more likely to have a muscle spasm. Drinking water is sometimes enough to ease the cramping, while other times, the addition of salt can provide relief.

The salt in sports drinks, which helps to replenish lost minerals, can sometimes be helpful. If you're wondering what Gatorade does to your body, know that weight gain is one possible result. While Gatorade has solidified its reputation as a sports drink, despite its clever messaging, not every person playing sports needs to drink Gatorade. Consuming excess calories is tied to weight gain — and consuming those calories in liquid form may have a more significant effect.

Sugary drinks don't fill you up as quickly as solid foods do, so it is easy to take in more calories than you really need, according to MassGeneral. Liquid calories are easier to consume more quickly, and they don't send the same fullness signals to the body.

Similarly, sugary drinks can cause your blood sugar to rise and fall quickly, which makes you feel hungry and leads to consuming more calories, per MassGeneral. There are documented negative health effects associated with consuming sugar-sweetened beverages, per the Center for Science in the Public Interest CSPI , which include a greater risk for obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease.

As we know, consuming excess calories is closely tied to weight gain. These findings are not just limited to sugar-sweetened juices and sodas; drinks like Gatorade, Pocari Sweat, Powerade and beyond are also considered sugar-sweetened beverages, even if they are marketed as spoors drinks. On the flip side, studies in both children and adults have found that reducing sugary drink consumption can lead to bette weight management among those who have overweight, per Harvard Health Publishing.

Even sugar-free drinks that are artificially sweetened — like Gatorade's G Zero — are associated with detrimental health effects. The researchers found that both higher consumers of sweetened beverages and artificially-sweetened drinks had higher risks of first incident cardiovascular disease, after taking into account a wide range of confounding factors.

Gatorade provides advantages over water if you need to replenish sodium, or if you're working out for a significant period of time think 60 minutes or more , especially if that's in a hot or humid climate.

For most people, however, water works great. Water keeps you hydrated without adding extra calories or sugar to your diet. First, check your sweat rate. If you arrive home after a run or workout dripping in sweat, then you're more likely to have lost electrolytes during your workout. But you can replenish lost electrolytes in ways beyond drinking Gatorade. A person's acclimation to heat and humidity, along with their speed, body weight and even their genes all influence their sweat rate.

However, you should note that people exercising for less than 60 to 90 minutes may not need Gatorade to maintain or improve performance. In fact, Berkeley researchers say the sugar in sports drinks may be contributing to the child obesity epidemic by increasing caloric intake. When consumed often, the sugar content of Gatorade can also contribute to tooth decay , especially in children.

The extra calories from a sports drink could contribute to weight gain. The extra sodium could increase the risk of high blood pressure over time. G2 contains 40 calories for every 16 ounces, which is fewer than half the calories of regular Gatorade. Research on the long-term safety of these artificial sweeteners is ongoing, but not yet conclusive.

Also of importance to note is that Gatorade contains food dyes , such as Red No. These artificial dyes are derived from petroleum and may increase the risk of hyperactivity in children. Electrolytes coming from natural sources without added sugars and dyes are recommended. For most children, water remains the best source of hydration. Foods like fresh fruits and vegetables are the best source of carbohydrates and electrolyte replacement.

You can also make a healthier sports drink at home with this recipe. Find out how safe some common athletic performance enhancers are. Check out some of the most nutritious nightshade fruits and veggies from tomatoes to goji berries. For expert advice on how to eat healthier and get the nutrients you need, check out these top healthy eating books. For example, a sports drink can help when:. Another situation that may require sports drinks but more likely an IV of electrolytes is water intoxication.

Water intoxication occurs when you lose too many electrolytes and replenish fluids with water alone. This can dilute your blood sodium levels and cause too much fluid to enter your cells, causing them to swell. While very rare, water intoxication can be serious and even fatal. There are also other, nonphysiological reasons why sports drinks can be beneficial.

For many people, flavored sports drinks are more palatable than plain water or other beverages , and can help them stay sufficiently hydrated. If a Gatorade a day helps you get the amount of fluid you need, then by all means, don't deny yourself hydration.

You may want to drink low- or zero-calorie versions of sports drinks if you don't exercise regularly, however, to avoid unnecessary added sugar and sodium.

If the artificial sweeteners in low- and zero-calorie beverages mess with your digestion, consider switching to fruit-infused water instead. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Water vs. Gatorade: Which is better to drink when you exercise? You always need water, but when do you need a sports drink? Amanda Capritto.