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.

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.

Mineral salts such as sodium chloride, potassium, and magnesium are known collectively as electrolytes. These electrolytes allow electrical impulses to travel properly throughout your body, allowing for normal bodily function. When you sweat you start to deplete yourself of these electrolytes. Similar to dehydration, electrolyte depletion will first lead to performance declines and then onto more serious health issues.

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.