Gatorade is a sports drink containing electrolytes, simple carbohydrates and water. Nutritionally, it provides potassium, salt and sugar, but is not a significant source of other vitamins or minerals.
Gatorade was first developed in the 1960s as a sports drink designed to provide football players with the electrolytes that were depleted during training and game play. The drink was so successful at keeping players from hitting the wall that it is now available nationwide as a PepsiCo product.
Intended as a form or oral rehydration therapy, Gatorade contains electrolytes, sugars and water. The Nutrition facts for this drink show that one 20 oz. bottle provides 270 mg. of sodium, 75 mg. of potassium and 34 grams of sugar. There are 130 calories in the drink, mostly made up of a mixture of dextrose and sucrose sugars.
The complete ingredients list includes water, sugar, dextrose, citric acid, natural flavors, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, gum arabic, glycerol ester of rosin and a food coloring. Originally, Gatorade was available in two flavors, lemon-lime and orange. The brand has since expanded to include dozens of flavors in three different product lines. The Frost series provides crisp, light drinks in flavors like Orange-Strawberry and Glacier Freeze, while the Fierce series provides intense flavors like Green Apple and Grape. The Original line still offers many of the original flavors that have been released through the years.
