You can drink Gatorade anytime you are thirsty. Gatorade is not just for serious athletes, but can benefit all of us who enjoy being physically active.

In scientific terms, osmolality is a measure of the number of particles in a solution. For example, water has a very low osmolality (close to zero) where cranberry juice cocktail has a very high osmolality because there are a lot of sugar molecules dissolved in it. The osmolality of Gatorade is close to that of our blood, a factor that helps assure rapid absorption. If beverage osmolality becomes too high (e.g. soft drinks and fruit juices), the rate of fluid absorption is slowed.

In Gatorade, the key electrolytes are the minerals sodium, potassium and chloride. For more information on electrolytes and the role that they play in rehydration, please visit the Science of Hydration section.

Yes. Gatorade will be available at the race party area near the finish line and registration area, and at all water/aid stations.

Elite and endurance athletes often have greater sweat and electrolyte losses due to engaging in longer, more intense workouts. To help these athletes more fully replace the electrolytes they lose in sweat during these longer, more intense workouts, the Gatorade Sports Science Institute created Gatorade Endurance Formula.

Propel is a fitness water for people who lead an active, healthy lifestyle and typically drink bottled water instead of a sports drink. Lightly flavored to help you drink more, Propel helps you feel better during your workout and your day. It also contains vitamins that are important to an active, healthy lifestyle. Based on our research, people who typically drink plain water will drink Propel any time to enjoy the benefits of staying well hydrated.

Absolutely. Although Gatorade is formulated for when you are hot, sweaty and thirsty, it can be consumed just like any other beverage. Keep in mind that Gatorade contains only about 50% of the calories of fruit juices and regular soft drinks.

To learn more about why water does not put back everything that is lost through sweat, visit the Science of Hydration section of this web site.

Over thirty years of scientific research has gone into Gatorade to assure that its formula is optimal. Some other drinks call themselves sports drinks but do not have the right blend of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and flavoring to rapidly put back the stuff the body needs during physical activity. Visit the Beverage Comparison Chart in the Products section to see how Gatorade compares to other sports drinks, soft drinks and juices.

Gatorade is a thirst quencher, a fluid replacement beverage for use when people are hot and thirsty. "Energy" drinks (such as Lucozade, Red Bull, CarboPlex, and a variety of others) are closer in composition to Gatorade Performance Series Energy Drink- and are formulated to provide a concentrated source of carbohydrates. Many of the energy drinks contain caffeine and about three times as much carbohydrate as Gatorade, as well as other substances like ginseng, taurine, etc.

Yes, diabetics can actually benefit from Gatorade. Physically active diabetics who require periodic intake of carbohydrate to prevent hypoglycemia from occurring during and following activity should consume carbs during exercise. Also, people with diabetes are prone to dehydration by way of their increased urine output, and Gatorade can help in that regard as well. People with diabetes should always consult a physician before making any change in dietary intake.

Gatorade does not contain caffeine for two important reasons: 1) caffeine is a drug, not a nutrient, and 2) caffeine is a diuretic, increasing urine production and adding to dehydration. That's one reason why rehydration is much better with Gatorade than with caffeinated colas. That is why care must be taken anytime Gatorade powder is mixed. Adding too much or too little water to the mix will adversely affect Gatorade efficacy.

New flavors are arrived at through a process that involves coming up with new flavor ideas, development and screening of prototypes, making revisions as necessary, and finally testing with athletes in an exercise setting. A new product launch can take six months to several years depending on the complexity of the beverage.

A noncaloric artificial sweetener, like Nutrasweet, takes the place of the carbohydrates that are so critical to stimulating rapid fluid replenishment and providing energy to working muscles.

While Gatorade should never be used as a substitute for milk, infants and toddlers can safely drink Gatorade once they are weaned off breast milk or formula and begin consuming food, fruit juices and other beverages. It is best to consult with your pediatrician prior to introducing new foods into your infant's diet.

Pediatricians frequently recommend Gatorade to keep children adequately hydrated. Sick kids can dehydrate quickly by losing fluid as a result of fever (sweating) and diarrhea. Pediatricians know that Gatorade helps put back fluids and electrolytes fast. One thing to keep in mind is that Gatorade is a sports drink and is not specifically formulated as an oral rehydration solution for persistent, severe diarrhea. Please consult with your pediatrician if persistent, severe diarrhea develops.

The Gatorade name comes from The University of Florida football team, the "Gators". Gatorade Thirst Quencher was invented at The University of Florida to assist their athletes in combating the dehydration that limited their performance-hence "Gator...ade." For more information on the origins of Gatorade, please visit the Gatorade Story Section.

Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink with a unique blend of five electrolytes designed to meet the fluid and electrolyte needs of elite and endurance athletes during their longer, more intense workouts. Gatorade Thirst Quencher contains the electrolytes sodium, chloride and potassium — the key electrolytes lost through sweat.

Both Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Gatorade Endurance Formula are scientifically formulated to meet the hydration needs of athletes. For most active people and athletes, Gatorade Thirst Quencher is the appropriate beverage to help replace the fluid and electrolytes lost through sweat and provide energy to fuel working muscles. However, we know through extensive research that elite and endurance athletes often have greater fluid and electrolyte losses during their longer and more intense workouts.

No it should not. Diluting Gatorade reduces its effectiveness because doing so waters down the taste, reduces the amount of carbohydrate that can be delivered to active muscles, and dilutes the sodium necessary for complete rehydration. That is why care must taken anytime Gatorade powder is mixed. Adding too much or too little water to the mix will adversely affect Gatorade efficacy.

Fruit juice contains fructose in levels which slow gastric emptying and may result in intestinal upset when athletes drink it during exercise. BVO is used in the manufacturing of some Gatorade flavorings to provide stability to the flavor emulsion. It is used in very low levels and does not contribute any fat calories.

Yes, Gatorade is formulated to taste best during physical activity because it contains electrolytes and the right flavor profile to help drive the thirst mechanism. The right flavor profile is achieved by creating flavors which are light and not overpowering so that they can be consumed in large quantities with minimum sensory overload during physical activity. Gatorade also has carefully avoided the use of artificial preservatives that can cause a throat burning sensation during exercise

Once opened, Gatorade should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days after opening.

Gatorade's plastic caps have bands that separate once the cap has been loosened. Tamper bands are used on caps that don't have built in tamper evidency including 24-ounce E.D.G.E.

Liquid Gatorade will store best when kept at refrigerator temperature, about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Powder should be kept in a cool (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit or less), dry place.

No. Caffeine is a diuretic (increases urine production) and can hinder rehydration when consumed before or after exercise.

The colors of Gatorade not only look good but also help in flavor perception enabling you to tell different flavors apart. The colors are permitted for use in Gatorade by the FDA and are added at the lowest possible level to achieve the desired color. For those who prefer drinks without color, Gatorade Ice is available.

Any workout calls for fluids to keep the body hydrated. The best choice is Gatorade, but some people prefer to drink water. Both Gatorade and Propel are excellent products. Propel assists in hydration because, as research shows, a lightly flavored beverage encourages people to drink more than they would of plain water. Gatorade was formulated for optimizing physical performance and hydration, and is supported by more than 35 years of research.

No it is not. The majority of Gatorade sales are for the public, not athletes, and to meet health regulations they contain a limited percentage of electrolytes. It is still better than water, but you need to take salt tablets with it or a less expensive way is to just add salt to it. How much? As much as you can put and still like the taste.