Who created sports drinks?

A quick look at the drink section in any supermarket reveals the rising popularity of sports drinks. With countless brands and flavors available, each claiming to boost performance, who first came up with these vibrant beverages? Were they always neon-hued with names like Arctic Blast? And are sports drinks necessary for the average person to rehydrate during or after exercise?

While Gatorade is often hailed as the pioneer of sports drinks, a similar product, Lucozade, was available in the U.K. long before Gatorade became iconic.

In 1927, a chemist named William Owen created Lucozade, a blend of glucose and water designed to offer a quick source of calories and energy for those recovering from illness. Originally named "Glucozade" due to its glucose content, the name was altered to Lucozade in 1929. The Beecham Group acquired the brand in 1938, which later merged with SmithKline in 1989 [sources: Brand Republic, Hawkes].

Lucozade's lack of recognition as the first sports drink largely stems from a marketing oversight. It wasn't until the 1980s that the company recognized the potential to market Lucozade as more than just a recovery drink for the ill. By rebranding it as an energy-replenishing beverage, introducing new flavors, and boosting sales, Lucozade became the top-selling sports drink in the U.K. [source: Brand Republic].

However, Gatorade is credited with igniting the modern sports drink industry. It was the first beverage specifically formulated to aid athletes during physical training.

The History of Gatorade

In 1965, University of Florida football coach Dwayne Douglas observed his players shedding significant weight during practices and games, some losing up to 18 pounds (8.1 kilograms). Despite consuming large amounts of water, they weren't urinating and were experiencing heat stroke. Douglas collaborated with Dr. Robert Cade, a kidney specialist at UF, to address the issue. Cade, along with UF's College of Medicine, developed a beverage to replace the carbohydrates (sugar), salt, and electrolytes lost through sweat. Electrolytes are essential minerals that help maintain fluid balance and muscle function [source: MedlinePlus].

When Cade, the drink's creator, was prepared to test his formula, the Gators had a new coach, Ray Graves. Cade and his team created a drink consisting of water, salt, and sugar. The logic was straightforward: replenishing lost salt and sugar would restore balance.

The only issue was the drink's unpleasant taste, so Cade's wife suggested adding lemon juice to improve its flavor. By 1966, the Gators were consuming Gatorade during intense summer practices, which not only reduced weight loss but also decreased heat-related hospitalizations. Cade attributed the team's 8-2 record that season to the drink [source: Kays].

In 1967, Stokely-Van Camp Co. began distributing Gatorade, which was later acquired by Quaker Oats in 1983. Pepsi, which purchased Quaker Oats in 2001, now produces and markets Gatorade. Since its invention in 1965, UF has earned over $100 million from the drink [sources: Gordon, Kays]. In 2011 alone, Gatorade and its sub-brand G2 generated $1.3 billion in sales, alongside other popular sports drinks like Powerade (Coca-Cola), vitaminwater, Muscle Milk, Propel, and Mio Energy [source: Edwards].

Over the years, Gatorade has expanded its offerings, rebranding as "G" and introducing sub-brands such as the low-calorie G2 and Gatorade Recover.

The Ins and Outs of Sports Drinks

A standard sports drink combines carbohydrates and electrolytes. The carbohydrates typically come from sugar, while the electrolytes, usually a mix of salt and potassium, aim to replace what you lose through sweat during vigorous exercise. To enhance their appeal, sports drinks often include added flavors and artificial colors, resulting in varieties like Cool Blue and Glacier Freeze.

The composition of sports drinks can vary significantly. For example, an 8-ounce (226-gram) serving of Gatorade or Powerade typically contains 14 to 17 grams of carbohydrates and 110 to 165 milligrams of sodium [source: Fitzgerald]. Gatorade has 50 calories per 8-ounce serving, with bottles ranging from 16 to 32 ounces [source: Good Morning America]. Consuming a large bottle during a treadmill session could add up to 200 calories, potentially offsetting the calories burned in a 30-minute workout.

Thus, a sports drink might cancel out your workout efforts. If your exercise session lasts less than 45 minutes, you likely don't need a sports drink, as you're not burning enough calories or losing significant electrolytes to warrant such replenishment [source: Blake]. Water is usually sufficient unless you're exercising in extreme heat and sweating excessively.

Sports drinks and energy drinks are often confused by consumers, as both are marketed as sources of drinkable energy. However, the distinction lies in their ingredients. Sports drinks aim to replenish nutrients lost through sweat during exercise, while energy drinks rely on stimulants like caffeine and taurine to provide an artificial energy boost. These stimulants can be risky during workouts, as they increase heart rate [source: Mayo].

Sports drinks can also be useful outside of the gym or sports field. When traveling to developing countries where diarrhea-related illnesses are prevalent, sports drinks can help replace lost fluids, salt, potassium, and carbohydrates, much like they do after intense exercise [source: PennState Hershey].