The Effects Gatorade Has on the Body Essay Example

When straining your body through physical activity, Gatorade keeps your body hydrated, keeps the electrolytes balanced, and replenishes carbohydrates. However, Gatorade has several negative effects as well, which can be extremely toxic to the body. This very popular drink has both positive and negative effects that the consumer should be aware of. Proper hydration is a key aspect of keeping the body functioning at maximum efficiency. As the human body is composed mainly of water, one can imagine how necessary it is to maintain a proper balance of fluids. According to Dr. Katie Johnson, MD, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This means that Americans are not consuming enough fluids and their bodies could suffer long term effects, such as kidney failure or worse, coma. When preforming strenuous activities, fluids are rapidly lost through sweat and other bodily processes which can lead to dehydration. Gatorade was designed to quickly rehydrate the human body during these situations. The proper amount of electrolytes in the body keep it chemically balanced. Many normal bodily functions are dependent on electrolytes. According to www.dictionary.com electrolytes are any of certain inorganic compounds, mainly sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and bicarbonate, that dissociate in biological fluids into ions capable of conducting electrical currents and constituting a major force in controlling fluid balance within the body. Whenever a person perspires, electrolytes escape from the body. If too much is lost, the body can’t function optimally. Gatorade is formulated to carefully provide the same electrolytes to keep the body hydrated, balanced, and working properly. The positive effects of Gatorade are clear, but what most do not know is that Gatorade can have just as many negative effects. Gatorade was designed with the athlete’s body in mind, but as any company knows, when the target market expands, the profits expand. With its