The origins and marketing success of Gatorade

4min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Comments

Transcript

Episode notes

Electrolyte companies promote sugar-free products, while Gatorade contains a significant amount of sugar. Carbohydrates improve hydration by activating fluid transport mechanisms in the small intestines. Sodium alone cannot activate all these mechanisms. Gatorade's success is attributed to its origins in the 1960s when it was developed by a football coach and a renal physiologist. It initially contained an artificial sweetener, but when it was taken off the market, more carbohydrate was added to maintain sweetness. Gatorade's marketing shifted from hydration to supplying carbohydrate for performance. Research supports carbohydrate availability for performance, but not hydration.

Episode #259. Have you ever put much thought into your hydration? If you think that drinking two litres of plain water a day meets your hydration needs, then this conversation is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Stacy Sims to explore the science behind optimal hydration and its impact on performance.

You’ll learn how to determine proper hydration, the role of electrolytes and glucose, and which commonly held beliefs about hydration are myths. Dr Sims shares her research findings and provides practical tips to improve your hydration for better performance and overall well-being.

Specifically, we discuss:

Intro (00:00)
Dr. Stacy Sims on hydration (1:25)
Nuances of hydration (3:35)
Electrolytes (7:02)
The problem with plain water (12:02)
How much sodium do you need in a hot or cold environment? (15:00)
Sodium and fluid intake during exercise (16:31)
Dehydration and its effects on performance (20:07)
Importance of slow and steady hydration (22:22)
Distilled water and hydration (23:38)
Is adding salt healthy? (24:59)
How to tell if you're dehydrated (25:52)
How much water should you drink a day? (27:47)
Coconut water for hydration? (28:22)
Why do electrolyte supplements have potassium, magnesium, and sodium? (30:25)
Carbohydrates and hydration (31:49)
Carbohydrate intake during endurance performance (36:52)
Hydration on low carb diets (38:36)
Fluid balance requirement for men and women (40:44)
The urine specific gravity test (44:53)
Sauna for men and women (46:51)
Are coffee and tea dehydrating? (48:00)
More hydration myths (50:03)
Hydration before an endurance event (51:00)
Creatine (52:08)
Frequent urination at night (54:30)
Dehydration among athletes (56:40)
Outro (58:45)

To connect with Dr Stacy Sims, you can find her on Instagram and Facebook. Visit her website, https://www.drstacysims.com, to learn more about Dr Sims and find resources to improve your performance.

Enjoy, friends.

Simon

Want to support the show?

The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family.

Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)

Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill

Author of The Proof is in the Plants

Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify

Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide

Download my complimentary two-week meal plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book