Why did Gatorade become sugary?

Gatorade became sugary due to regulatory changes and market demands for a more palatable product. Originally designed in the 1960s to keep athletes hydrated by supplying a small amount of glucose and salt, it contained an artificial sweetener to maintain taste without increasing sugar content. When the FDA required the removal of this artificial sweetener deemed unsafe, Gatorade's manufacturers had to find an alternative to keep the product sweet. They opted to increase the carbohydrate content instead of using another sweetener, shifting the drink's marketing focus from hydration to performance enhancement with more carbohydrates. This shift responded to the growing popularity of endurance sports and the perceived need for carbs to prevent "bonking," or sudden energy drop, during long-duration activities. The transition in Gatorade's sugar content illustrates how a product originally developed for specific health-related purposes evolved due to external regulatory pressures and market evolution 1.