Drink it up this summer

It was a scorching and humid afternoon when Gatorade held its Sweat Test on the players of the Alaska Aces recently.
The Sweat Test, we were told, is part of the Hydration Education and Athletic Training Program (HEAT) of Gatorade.

"People sweat differently," said Dr. Xiaocai Shi Ph.D., head of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) in Barrington, Illinois. He has been with the Institute since 1994. Shi obtained his bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Teacher’s University in 1982, his master’s degree from Ball State University in 1990, and his PhD from the University of Iowa in 1994. "Each time we sweat we have to make sure we replace the electrolytes, potassium and sodium we sweat out."

The heat was becoming a bit unbearable at the Adidas Camp in The Fort where the Sweat Test was held. "It is so hot. I understand that today’s humidity is 90 degrees," said Steve Romasanta, Gatorade brand manager. "I am sweating even just standing here."

So was everyone else, sweating that is.

But sweat is such a major component to being healthy. When we exercise we sweat, whether or not we see the sweat. Sweating is the body’s way of keeping cool. And, in the process, we lose all-important fluids like sodium, potassium, and carbohydrates. If you don’t put back what we sweat out we can get dehydrated and this can result in an abrupt decrease in performance levels; a nightmare for any athlete or gym junkie.

Although drinking water is a good way to rehydrate, studies have shown that Gatorade, which was formulated not just to quench our thirst but to replace the electrolytes lost, is one of the best drinks for rehydrating the body.

This is the science of sweat: a concept proven and refined by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) through almost two decades of "Sweat Tests" conducted on numerous elite professional and amateur athletes from all over the world.

As we waited for Alaska Aces Jeffrey Cariaso to finish his Sweat Test, we got to sample all the yummy flavors of Gatorade. Orange, grape, lemon-lime, tropical fruit and blue bolt. What makes Gatorade such a great drink is that it is not too heavy on the stomach. "And you never get too much of Gatorade because what you don’t need you will either sweat out again or pee out," added Dr. Shi. "This is why our sweat is salty because of the sodium content. If we let the sweat dry we will see white flakes, a sure sign of the sodium in our sweat."

When we are working in an air-conditioned room we may not feel our sweat, but because of the heat generated by the muscle movement the body is losing fluids. One of the ways Dr. Shi suggests that a person weigh themselves before they workout and then again after the workout. "This way they will know how much fluid they lost," he opined. "It is a good idea to replace the fluid lost and, of course, Gatorade is the best."

Dr. Shi was quick to point out that when we are thirsty we are already dehydrated. We need to keep drinking so that we don’t get dehydrated. Matter of fact, Dr. Shi says that even when he is in the office he makes sure that he has a bottle of Gatorade with him all the time so he can drink whenever he feels like it.

Dr. Shi said that Gatorade Thirst Quencher has been scientifically formulated and athletically proven to replace fluids and provide energy to working muscles. The research in the product goes back as far as 1967 when researchers at the University of Florida (USA) developed Gatorade to help the Florida Gators American football team prevent dehydration when they played in the swamp-like heat. The Gators enjoyed a winning record that season and became known as the "second-half team" by outplaying opponents during the second half of their games.

Gatorade is the most researched beverage on the market for athletes and active individuals. By offering a scientifically validated blend of carbohydrates (six percent carbohydrate solution) and electrolytes (sodium and potassium), Gatorade stimulates fluid absorption, helps the body maintain fluid balance, provides energy to working muscles and helps enhance athletic performance. Backed by more than 35 years of scientific research, Gatorade has scientifically proven rehydration and performance benefits over water. No other beverage or sports drink company has established such a strong expertise in rehydration and sports nutrition.

"This is a great opportunity for everyone to gain awareness on the hydration levels of our body. While this is especially essential with athletes, Gatorade is likewise a must for anyone who engages in any physical activity," added Romasanta.

The GSSI Sweat Test consists of Sweat Analysis and Hydration Assessment. Simply put, sweat samples are collected from the individual athlete to determine the concentration of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) he or she loses through sweat. Also, the athlete is weighed before and after training to measure fluid-loss. Urine samples are also collected pre-exercise to measure how hydrated the athletes are before starting exercise. The results allow the GSSI scientists to provide recommendations to help prevent cramping, heat illness and optimize performance on the field. As an education tool, the Sweat Test is a major step in teaching active people about the dangers of dehydration and fluid loss during sports and strenuous activity.

GSSI has a well-earned reputation as the global hydration experts, and the huge amount of research that has been done over the last 35 years continues to prove that no other beverage re-hydrates, replenishes, and refuels better than Gatorade. This April, science, the GSSI Sweat Test, and Gatorade are coming to team up with Filipino athletes, and the result cannot be anything less than peak performance.

As we downed our third Gatorade bottle Jeffrey Cariaso stepped out of the Sweat Test. Time for his sweat analysis.