If ever you’ve played sports in your life, or heck, even went to one-too-many parties in college, you likely know what Gatorade is and tastes like. But what many people don’t know about this popular sports drink is that it was created right here in the state of Florida! Sure, UF Fans and many Florida residents might know this fun fact about the thirst-quenching beverage, but many visitors who consume the electrolyte drink don’t! So, let’s take a trip back in history to see exactly how Florida became the birthplace of Gatorade.

You likely are familiar with Gatorade if you’ve ever played sports, or watched at the end of the Super Bowl where coaches get drenched in a colorful liquid from the sidelines.
Flickr Al Case
But what many people aren’t familiar with is how this sports drink originated.
Flickr Mike Mozart
Back in the 1960s, a team of scientists from the University of Florida College of Medicine developed the drink in hopes to help replenish the carbohydrates that were lost in student-athletes.
Wikipedia
The scientists found that student-athletes from the University of Florida were burning through carbs, while simultaneously losing water and electrolytes as they sweat during sports.
Flickr Photo-gator

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The Gators head football coach, Ray Graves requested a beverage be made in order to allow the student-athletes to maintain peak physical performance.
Flickr Steven Martin
The very first versions of the drink included combinations of water, sodium, sugar, potassium, and phosphate, plus a little lemon juice thrown in the mix.
Flickr Roadsidepictures
After becoming a popular drink among athletes after rigorous testing, the University of Florida researchers almost named the product “Gator-Aid” as it helped the Gators win their first Orange Bowl victory in 1967.
Flickr Darryl Kenyon
Ultimately though, the drink became known as Gatorade and is now one of the most popular drinks around the world.
Flickr Jimmy Emerson DVM

Did you know this history of how Florida became the birthplace of Gatorade? Sound off in the comments section! Or if you know of any other cool stories that involve Florida being the birthplace of something, make sure to let us know!

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