Sports drink, dry concentrate, not reconstituted
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the potent, powdered heart of a sports drink—a fine, often brightly colored crystal that holds a massive amount of energy in a tiny package. It has a sharp, intensely sweet and tangy flavor, designed to be diluted with water to create a refreshing, electrolyte-rich beverage. Nutritionally, it's almost pure carbohydrate, delivering a rapid 380 kcal per 100g of powder.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 98% carbs · 2% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its ability to make water more palatable, encouraging better hydration during workouts. Its concentrated form is a favorite among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts for its convenience and effectiveness in combating fatigue.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar concentration can cause a rapid blood-spike and subsequent crash if consumed without physical activity. It's also very acidic, which can contribute to dental erosion. To counteract this, always dilute it properly, consume it during or immediately after exercise, and consider rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward.
Key benefits
- Provides rapid energy for high-intensity or endurance exercise.
- Contains electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) to replace what's lost in sweat.
- Highly portable and lightweight for on-the-go hydration.
- Concentrated formula means a small amount makes a full serving.
- Helps maintain blood glucose levels during prolonged physical activity.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original 'Gatorade' was named after the Florida Gators football team, who tested it in 1965 to help players cope with the intense heat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.52 g |
| Energy | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 97.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 97.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 11.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.17 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 165 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 99.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 39.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 130 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.03 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 40.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.10 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.18 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.53 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.35 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Why is it sold as a powder?
Concentrating it into a dry form drastically reduces weight and volume, making it cheaper to ship and store. It also has a much longer shelf life than a pre-mixed liquid.
Is it just sugar water?
No. While sugar is the main ingredient, it also contains a precise blend of electrolytes (salts) and sometimes flavorings, colorings, and vitamins that plain sugar water lacks.
Can I use it for cooking?
Yes, it can be used to add a sweet, tangy, and salty kick to things like marinades, glazes, or homemade sports nutrition bars, but its intense flavor means a little goes a long way.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.80 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 97.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.33 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.