Is it in You?

It almost hurts to question it. Developed at my school - the University of Florida Gators - and it's no irony that the drink has become as legendary and iconic as Florida football. It has become more than a sport drink, it's a symbol of fierce competitiveness and sport.

The truth is there are very few products that have superior marketing and advertising than Gatorade. It makes me think of one of the best commercials with the aged Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards playing 1-on-1 against the best player of all time, the Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. His bald, dark head dripping glistening Lemon Lime Gatorade sweat down his face.
So, Gatorade would have you believe it is better than water, but is it? It all started when Gator football coach Dwayne Douglas questioned why his players lost so much weight during games but urinated very little. With long endurance and major sweat loss in mind, Gatorade was invented by Dr. Robert Cade who then directed UF's Medicine renal and electrolyte divison.

And the battle began - Gatorade vs. Water

Regardless of some of the best marketing this country has ever seen, studies have continued to prove that Gatorade is better than water for prolonged exercise and endurance tests. According to a University of Wisconsin study, Gatorade was slightly more beneficial in terms of weight change and endurance. Check out the study here. Gatorade packs a carbohydrate and potassium punch that water doesn't provide, but remember that the difference is only in endurance exercising. You don't need Gatorade every time if you're not active.

More importantly, if you're a Gatorade drinker no matter what the occasion, here is something to consider. In a study at the NYU College of Dentistry, they immersed cow teeth in Gatorade for 75-90 minutes to replicate consuming the beverage overtime, and they found Gatorade can damage tooth enamel even more so than soda. Not to mention you can say goodbye to your pearly whites because Gatorade caused significant staining. Read the study here.

There is nothing I enjoy more after a workout than chugging orange Gatorade. Just make sure you drink Gatorade with an active, high endurance lifestyle.

The best 1-on-1 match of all time - watch it here. And I would be wrong if I didn't include this one for the Gators - the legend continues here.