Introduction of Gatorade Sports
The first thing to know about Gatorade is the brand vehemently denies being an energy drink. It is a sports drink with the original aim of rehydrating the athlete in all of us before, after, and during strenuous activity.
The Gatorade story has been recently made popular by an ad campaign detailing the storied origin of the brand. Simply put, the then head coach of the Florida Gators college football team requested a performance drink for his athletes. A team of scientists at the university got to work and developed the original Gatorade.
As mentioned earlier, the scientists determined that the concoction should aim to replenish carbohydrates and fluids lost through sweat during exercise. The original Gatorade consisted of water, sodium, sugar, phosphate, and lemon juice.
Gatorade has worked its way into being synonymous with sports. From marketing deals early on with sports icons like Michael Jordan to the creation of the now infamous “Gatorade Shower” (players douse coaches in the drink after an important win), Gatorade still stands at the top of sports drinks with a whopping 75% of the U.S. market share.
Originally, the product was owned by the Gatorade Company but is now being distributed by PepsiCo. Unsurprisingly, Coca Cola has developed a competing product called Powerade. Vitamin Water is also considered a direct competitor for the company, which is produced by Glaceau (a subsidiary of Coca Cola).
Gatorade Sports Prices
Gatorade frequently finds itself being compared to a variety of other products. Energy drinks, flavored waters, and other sports drinks all compete to attempt to grasp market share from the sports drink Goliath.
Here, we will break down the comparisons in those three different categories. While Gatorade prefers to be a sports drink and a sports drink only, it is beneficial to compare it across a more comprehensive spectrum.
Gatorade vs Vitamin Water
As Gatorade prefers to be considered a sports drink, Vitamin Water likes to be called flavored water. Thus, it falls under a different category than Gatorade. However, the Glaceau product is often included in the “Big Three” of sports drinks: Gatorade, Powerade, and Vitamin Water.
Vitamin Water enjoys touting its less than half the sugar content of Gatorade. One of the major knocks against the popular sports drink is its 34 grams of sugar in a 20-ounce bottle. For reference, the recommended daily intake of sugar for an adult male is 37.5 grams and for an adult female is 25 grams.
Gatorade is generally slightly more expensive than Vitamin Water. However, prices vary widely based on the retailer and the type of product. It is fair to note that Vitamin Water is primarily sweetened, flavored water with some fortification of vitamins while Gatorade continues to recommend itself for more efficient hydration and better sports performance.
Gatorade vs Powerade
The rubber meets the road as these two sports drinks giants face off. If you ask anyone on the street to name two sports drink products, it is likely that Gatorade and Powerade are the first two at the top of people's’ minds.
Powerade is a product created by the Coca Cola company as a direct response to the success of Gatorade. Eventually, the brand would fall under the PepsiCo umbrella, making the competition that much more intense.
Both sports drinks are similar in content and pricing. Both come in a seemingly endless variety of flavors and sizes. In most cases, the decision between the two simply comes down to taste preferences or brand loyalty.
Gatorade vs Energy Drinks
Comparing Gatorade to energy drinks is generally unwise, as the products have different goals and are different in pretty much every way. However, some swear by one or the other as not only a supplement to water but also to provide energy during activity.
Simply put, energy drinks almost always cost about twice as much as a sports drink of the same size. These two products have different uses and a price comparison is basically unfair.
Common Gatorade Sports Prices List
Type | Size | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|
Gatorade Sports Drink | 24 x 20 oz | $23.99 |
16 x 20 oz | $15.99 | |
24 x 12 oz | $15.99 | |
12 x 16.9 oz | $19.99 |
Gatorade Sports Drink Ingredients
There are currently four distinct Gatorade lines offered by PepsiCo. Thirst Quencher (the original), Frost, Rain (formerly known as Ice), and the modern G2 (lower calorie and lower carbs).
Ingredients vary by product line and sometimes depending on the specific flavor. The following list is a rundown of what comprises the original Gatorade - Thirst Quencher:
Despite enduring some criticism for the sugar content found in its products, Gatorade maintains a strong hold on the top spot of sports drinks. Obviously, consuming a sugary product like Gatorade should be done in moderation, yet can be enjoyed responsibly.