Lemonade is made from lemons. Limeade is made from limes. So, is Gatorade made from…gulp…alligators? Not exactly. It was, however, originally made for Gators. The Gator is the mascot of the University of Florida. And this sports drink was first developed for the school's football players.
In 1965, the Gators needed a way to beat the heat. Florida's steamy weather was tough on the athletes. Some players perspired so much that they shed as much as 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) in a single football game. Competing in the heat made many of them ill and even sent some to the hospital. A concerned coach, Dewayne Douglas, enlisted the help of Dr. Robert Cade and other university scientists.
To tackle the problem, the scientists first had to gather data. With players' permission, they collected blood and urine samples at various times. The scientists studied the samples in the lab, and the results were dramatic. After exercising in the heat, players were dehydrated, their blood sugar had dropped, and they were low on electrolytes. These are essential minerals the body needs to control muscles and maintain a healthy balance of fluids.
Dr. Cade and his group created a scientific solution: a beverage that was meant to replace lost fluids, boost energy, and restore the body's chemical balance. The first formula contained water, salts and other electrolytes, and sugars—but it tasted terrible. When the scientists added lemon juice, though, they had a winner. Players who downed the "Gatorade" suffered fewer negative effects from the heat and had more energy than those who didn't.
The benefits also showed up on scoreboards. In a 1965 game against Louisiana State University, for instance, the Gators were the underdogs. But the team pulled off a stunning victory. And they did so in temperatures hovering around 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). The team was on fire in the 1966 season, too, earning a reputation for hanging tough in the second half. In 1967, after the Gators won the Orange Bowl, the head coach credited Gatorade with helping the team win. And the salty-sweet liquid's place in sports history was solidified.
Dr. Cade soon sold the recipe to a beverage company. Today, Gatorade is the world's most popular sports drink, but it has plenty of competition. That's because, after fueling one Florida football team's success, Gatorade kicked off an entire industry.
What cause-and-effect relationship is described in this article?
The University of Florida grew lemons, so Dr. Cade developed a formula for a beverage.
Football players competing in Florida's hot weather became seriously dehydrated.
Football players competing in Florida's hot weather lost more games than they won.
The University of Florida needed money, so Dr. Cade developed a formula for a beverage.