Can Gatorade Change The Color Of Your Poop?

Various factors can affect the color of your poop. And it’s a no-brainer that food plays a crucial role in altering your poop’s color. Whatever you eat has a say in the hue of your waste products. This brings us to the question: can Gatorade change the color of your poop?

Gatorade is a popular sports drink that has been around for decades. It’s scientifically proven to be a healthy and effective way of hydrating the body and replenishing it with electrolytes during exercise. There have been a lot of controversies and hearsay about Gatorade and the color of your poop. This article demystifies that and explains to you everything you need to know about Gatorade. Stay tuned.

Can Gatorade Change The Color Of Your Poop

Yes, Gatorade, like any other consumable can change the color of your poop. However, how it changes the poop color varies depending on the type of Gatorade drink. Gatorade’s official colors include orange, red-orange, black, and white. Other colors of this sports drink are blue, green, purple, etc.

Depending on the color of the drink, your poop may have varying hues. Drinking blue or purple Gatorade, for example, can change your poop color to bright green. The same is valid for drinking green Gatorade.

Orange, yellow, and red Gatorade can make your poop have an orange color. On the other hand, black and white Gatorade can result in your stool becoming black or pale.

About Gatorade

Gatorade is a laboratory-made sport drink created when researchers were investigating why athletes were falling ill after vigorous exercises in the heat. They found out that these athletes were losing fluid and electrolytes through sweat with exertion without replenishing them.

To counter this, they developed Gatorade to replace critical electrolytes and carbohydrates while hydrating the body at the same. Although Gatorade is marketed as a sports drink, athletes are not the only ones enjoying it. Some people including children drink it at lunch or after soccer practice, while others have given it a reputation as a hangover cure.

And although Gatorade usually contains less sugar than soda, it is really good for you?

Benefits Of Gatorade

Whenever you exercise, it’s crucial to stay hydrated, and water is the logical form of hydration. However, sports like Gatorade can also hydrate the body and help replace what you lose when exercising, especially in the heat. That’s because they contain sugar and electrolytes like potassium and sodium.

Electrolytes are minerals that maintain the body’s ionic balance. This balance is crucial for the functioning of nerves, muscles, and the brain, and its insufficiency can lead to electrolyte disorder. Such electrolytes may include:

• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Phosphate
• Sodium 
• Chloride

Carbohydrates and electrolytes help athletes refuel and rehydrate, and that’s what makes sports drinks famous. Electrolytes regulate the body’s fluid balance while carbs offer energy. Gatorade says their products are better at hydration than water because of these extra ingredients.

There are a couple of studies backing these claims. According to a Berkeley report from the University of California, sports drinks may be better than water for athletes and children participating in prolonged, strenuous physical activities for more than an hour, especially in hot places.

Note that this applies to people exercising for more than 60-90 minutes. So, anyone exercising less than one hour or engaging in light-intensity exercises does not need Gatorade.

Downsides Of Gatorade

Research suggests that most of those who drink Gatorade are not athletes. The Berkeley study explains that most people who drink sports drinks at least once daily are not as physically active as they should be.

A 20-ounce Gatorade’s Thirst Quencher serving contains 36 grams of sugar. And while this amount is less than that of average sugar, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

Various studies point out that sugar in sports drinks may be contributing to increased child obesity by increasing calories consumed. The sugar in Gatorade can also lead to tooth decay in children, especially when regularly consumed.

People who are not physically active are not advised to consume extra sugar and sodium throughout the day. Doing so can increase their risk of high blood pressure. The extra calories can also lead to weight gain.

Other Gatorade versions with low calories exist. However, these contain acesulfame and sucralose instead of sugar. These artificial sweeteners have been shown to have long-term consequences.

Note that Gatorade contains food dyes like Red No. 40, Blue No. 1, and Yellow No. 5. These artificial dyes are obtained from petroleum and may increase the risk of cancer and hyperactivity in children.

Can You Give Gatorade To Your Kids?

Although Gatorade works well at promoting hydration, it’s best to offer it to your kids when it’s really needed and avoid it at other times.

People who are not exercising for at least one hour, five days a week, should avoid taking this sports drink. Instead, they should use water as it remains the best for staying hydrated. Electrolytes from natural sources without added colorings, flavorings, and sugars are recommended.

Experts suggest that parents should limit their kids’ consumption of sports drinks, including Gatorade, due to its high sugar, which can easily lead to obesity or tooth decay. The artificial colorings can also cause allergies, respiratory issues, and long-term health effects.

According to a researcher and a former worker at Gatorade, Gatorade should not be taken as the bad guy and other drinks rich in sugar also needs evaluation. The researcher urged parents to evaluate their kids’ sugar consumption from all sources when making healthy decisions for them.

Remember, water remains the best source of hydration for most children. And foods like fresh fruits and vegetables are the best carbohydrate sources and electrolyte replacements.

Conclusion

Can Gatorade change the color of your poop? Yes, Gatorade can change the color of your poop. Generally, the foods you eat affect the color of your poop, and this sports drink is no different.

Depending on the color of the Gatorade drink you are taking, your poop’s color will vary. Green, blue, and purple Gatorade can result in bright green poop, while red, yellow, or orange may cause orange poop. Black Gatorade can make your stool black, while white may make it pale.