Course:FNH200/Assignments/2023/Gatorade Zero Sugar

Gatorade and Gatorade Zero

Gatorade is an American sports beverage marketed as containing electrolytes like sodium (Na) and potassium (K) to optimize hydration. The drink comes in a variety of flavours such as cool blue, lemon lime, and fruit punch. The sports beverage is said to enhance sports performance, as well replenishing electrolytes lost during intense activity. Despite Gatorade marketed as refuelling athletes and providing energy, the beverage’s impact on health has come under considerable debate among health professionals due to its high sugar and sodium content. Criticism of its high sugar concentration has led to the release of several Gatorade alternatives such as Gatorade Zero, Gatorlyte, and Gatorlyte Zero.

Gatorade Zero is regular Gatorade’s zero-sugar counterpart, fulfilling the same hydrating benefits but with zero grams of sugar per bottle. Each bottle is approximately 10 calories, which derives from the modified corn starch and various non-caloric sweeteners like Acesulfame-Potassium. Gatorade Zero has significantly fewer calories than the average bottle of Gatorade which ranges from 100 to 130 calories per bottle.

Images

Figure 1. Gatorade Zero

Figure 2. Regular Gatorade

Ingredient lists

Gatorade	Gatorade Zero
Water Sugar (Sugar, Dextrose) Citric acid Sodium citrate Salt Monopotassium phosphate Gum arabic Ester gum Natural flavour Tartrazine	Water Citric acid Natural flavour Sodium citrate Salt Monopotassium phosphate Modified corn starch Sucralose (45 mg/710 mL) Acesulfame potassium (35 mg/710 mL) Ester gum Brilliant blue FCF

Substitutes and Additives

	Gatorade	Gatorade Zero
Sugar Substitutes	None	Acesulfame-Potassium Sucralose
Fat Substitutes	None	None
Additives	Citric acid Sodium citrate Monopotassium phosphate Gum arabic Ester gum Tartrazine	Citric acid Sodium citrate Monopotassium-phosphate Ester gum Brilliant blue FCF

Gatorade:

• Purpose: Refuelling and replenishing lost electrolytes during high-performance activity with electrolytes such as sodium, phosphate, etc.
  • Citric acid: Used as an acidifier, flavouring agent and chelating agent (aids in preservation)
  • Sodium citrate: Used to decreases acidity, flavouring agent and antioxidant, aids with the absorption of electrolytes and fluids
  • Monopotassium-phosphate: A soluble form of potassium, which maintains pH and concentration of the drink
  • Gum arabic: Used as an emulsifier and stabilizer
  • Ester gum: Used as a stabilizer and emulsifier stabilizing the drink and the flavouring agents
  • Tartrazine: Used as a colouring agent to produce a yellow colour

Gatorade Zero:

• Purpose: “Gatorade Zero has 0 grams of sugar per bottle with the same electrolytes as base Gatorade and was developed specifically for athletes that prefer a low-calorie alternative”
  • Acesulfame-K: A non-caloric sweetener 200-times sweeter than sucrose. Contributes to 0 cal/g, does not contribute to tooth decay
  • Sucralose: Chlorinated sucrose molecule 600-times sweeter than sucrose. Not metabolized by human body, contributes to 0 cal/g
  • Citric acid: Used as an acidifier, flavouring agent and chelating agent (aids in preservation)
  • Sodium citrate: Used to decreases acidity, flavouring agent and antioxidant, aids with the absorption of electrolytes and fluids
  • Monopotassium-phosphate: A soluble form of potassium, which maintains pH and concentration of the drink
  • Ester gum: Used as a stabilizer and emulsifier stabilizing the drink and the flavouring agents
  • Brilliant blue FCF: Used as a colouring agent to produce a blue colour

Compare and Contrast

While both Gatorade beverages contain the same ingredients such a sodium citrate, citric acid and monopotassium-phosphate, the key difference in Gatorade Zero is the addition of sugar substitutes Acesulfame-Potassium and Sucralose. The sugar substitutes contribute to Gatorade Zero’s low-caloric characteristics as marketed, along with its slightly different “less sweet” taste in comparison to its regular counterpart. Food colouring additives such as Tartrazine and Brilliant Blue FCF vary among each Gatorade depending on the associated flavours such as “lemon lime” or “cool blue”. Otherwise, most other properties and additives that facilitate the absorption of electrolytes and optimal hydration are the same within both Gatorade and Gatorade Zero. This being said, Gatorade uses both Gum Arabic and Ester Gum as emulsifiers and stabilizing agents, while Gatorade Zero only uses Ester Gum.

Labels

Information found on the Gatorade label: ·       The common name of the product printed in bold (in this case the common name is sports drink) ·       Storage instructions to refrigerate after opening the bottle ·       The principal place of business which is listed as Mississauga, Ontario L4W 0G2 (country of origin is not listed on the label) ·       A list of ingredients ·       The nutrition facts table ·       The net quantity of the beverage ·       The sweeteners used ·       Flavour of the product ·       A contact number for any questions consumers may have ·       A symbol to indicate that the bottle is recyclable ·       A safety warning to not consume the product if the seal has been broken ·       A rationale for why the drink will rehydrate, replenish, and refuel the person consuming the product ·       A barcode to scan and identify the product ·       French labelling for all the information mentioned

Information found on the Gatorade Zero label: ·       The common name of the product printed in bold (in this case the common name is electrolyte beverage) ·       Storage instructions to refrigerate after opening the bottle ·       The principal place of business which is listed as Mississauga, Ontario L4W 0G2 (country of origin is not listed on the label) ·       A list of ingredients ·       The nutrition facts table ·       The net quantity of the beverage ·       The sweeteners used ·       Flavour of the product ·       A contact number for any questions consumers may have ·       A symbol to indicate that the bottle is recyclable ·       A safety warning to not consume the product if the seal has been broken ·       A barcode to scan and identify the product ·       A list of the specific amounts of each electrolyte contained in the bottle ·       French labeling for all the information mentioned

Based on the guidelines set forth by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, these products fully adhere to the applicable regulations[12]. The bottles prominently display the familiar and widely recognized names "Gatorade" and "Gatorade Zero," which are commonly used when referring to these products. They are accurately classified as "Sports Drink" or "Electrolyte Beverage," respectively. The nutrient claims regarding electrolytes are precise and clearly reflected in the ingredients list. In order to accommodate both English and French-speaking consumers, the bottles feature bilingual labeling with clear and legible text. The net quantity declaration is provided in recognized Canadian units, adhering to the metric system. The arrangement and spacing of information are well-organized and easy to comprehend. To ensure proper storage, both bottles provide explicit instructions, advising consumers to refrigerate the product after opening. Moreover, they include a comprehensive nutrition facts table and an ingredients list, presented in descending order of proportion. The nutrition facts tables offer detailed information about calories, fat, saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. Additionally, the nutrition facts table for Gatorade Zero includes the amount of chloride, providing a complete nutritional profile. To guarantee transparency, the ingredient lists of Gatorade and Gatorade Zero specify the sweeteners used, with Gatorade Zero taking the extra step of clearly indicating its sweetener additives in three distinct areas on the bottle.Lastly, both bottles prominently display the principal place of business, reaffirming their commitment to serving Canadian consumers.

References

This Food Science resource was created by Course:FNH200.