Gatorade is an American brand of sports-themed beverage and food products, built around its signature line of sports drinks. The drink is currently manufactured by PepsiCo and is distributed in over 80 countries. The beverage was first developed in 1965 by a team of researchers led by Dr. Robert Cade. It was originally made for the Gators at the University of Florida to replenish the carbohydrates that the school's student-athletes burned and the combination of water and electrolytes that they lost in sweat during vigorous sports activities.
University of Florida football player Chip Hinton testing Gatorade 1965, pictured next to the leader of its team of inventors, Robert Cade.
Introduced as Gatorade Ice in 2002, this flavor was re-labeled as Gatorade Rain in 2006 and No Excuses in 2009.
The Gatorade Sports Science Institute on West Main Street in Barrington, Illinois.
Inside the facility in 2012
Sports drinks, also known as electrolyte drinks, are functional beverages whose stated purpose is to help athletes replace water, electrolytes, and energy before, during and especially after training or competition. The evidence is lacking pertaining to the efficacy of use of commercial sports drinks for sports and fitness performance.
Image: Gatorade 185838
Image: P for Powerade
Image: Prime hydration ice pop two bottles
Image: Mizone
