This is an edited re-print of an article I did for a magazine back in
2008. With all the recent hype
around BVO, I thought this would add to the fire.
-Dr./Coach Ross
Ever look closely at the ingredient list for Gatorade (among other
"sport drinks")???
Here it is:
water,
sucrose,
glucose-fructose syrup,
citric acid,
natural flavors,
salt,
sodium citrate,
mono-potassium phosphate,
ester gum,
yellow 5,
brominated vegetable oils,
yellow 6,
blue 1,
caramel 1.
Exactly what is brominated vegetable oil and
why should you care???
The following are excerpts from the FDA
(Food and Drug Administration) website:
Brominated vegetable oil is another term for
partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (Just like in OREO cookies). It keeps the flavoring in drinks from
separating out and looking gross.
It also increases the flavors taste and prolongs shelf life.
As the name says, the major part of
brominated vegetable oil is bromine.
Bromine is a heavy, volatile, corrosive, reddish-brown,
nonmetallic liquid element, having a highly irritating vapor. It is used in
producing gasoline antiknock mixtures, fumigants, dyes, and photographic
chemicals. Atomic weight 79.904; atomic number 35; melting point 7.2°C; boiling
point 58.78°C; valence 1, 3, 5, 7.
Straight out of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics.
"BVO (Brominated Vegetable
Oil) has been allowed in our foods since 1977, but remains in the top
2000 toxicity additives and must be re-examined every 6 months. The
additive cannot exceed 15 parts per million (just one ounce must be diluted
into 520 gallons of Mountain Dew to stay under the toxicity level - or 5546
(12) oz cans)."
"Brominated cottonseed oil (BVO) was
administered orally to groups of 5 male rats in doses of 2 500, 5 000 and 10
000 mg/kg/day. After 4 days of treatment all rats on the highest dose and 3 out
of 5 on the middle dose had died. The survivors and those on
the lowest dose were lethargic and had decreased body
temperatures and respiration rates (Munro et al., 1969)."
"Growth and food utilization were
impaired at the highest level and mild anemia was noted. The liver, heart,
kidneys and spleen were enlarged. All rats had thyroid hyperplasia, myocarditis,
fatty changes in the liver, arrested testicular development, renal
tubular epithelial changes and reduced liver enzyme activities. (Munro et al.,
1969)."
"Bromine estimation in human adipose
tissue fat and other organ fats from Holland, Germany and U.K. revealed high
levels of lipid-bound bromine only in that country which permitted the
use of brominated vegetable oil as a food additive. High levels of
lipid-bound bromine were found particularly in children up to the age
of 15, the levels in adults being very much lower. Lipid-bound bromine
increased in organ fat in an age-related manner and levels were much higher in
the fat extracted from brain, liver and spleen than from adipose tissue. Body
fat from countries not using brominated vegetable oils contained only minimal
lipid-bound bromine."
Okay, enough with the factoids and scientific quotes...The
fact is that Gatorade, which we are sucking down as a nation like crazy
in tremendous amounts, actually contains "stuff" that is
actually detrimental to human existence. Especially for those who are
exercising and trying to be as healthy as possible and we think that Gatorade
is some awesome fluid replenishment drink that is at least not bad for us like
we know Colas, etc. to be.
But wait there is more.
Did you know that Gatorade is not actually
such a great electrolyte and fluid replacement drink?
The concentration of solids in the fluid (which determines
where the fluids will cross over to) is greater in Gatorade than in the
intestinal tract of humans. This means that water from the intestinal
tract (which is where we are supposed to absorb water for hydration) is
actually drawn out of the intestines and towards the Gatorade solution that
is flowing through our gut.
Hence, you drink Gatorade and get more thirsty due to the
slight loss of fluids that occurs.
Hmmm, more thirsty? Drink more Gatorade.
I quote,
"The inventors reasoned most athletes would put ice in the drink and
dilute it down to the approximate concentration of body fluid. If you do not
dilute the Gatorade, then it is a hypertonic solution which can actually
pull water out of the body."
Also, we have “learned” from a very young age that Gatorade is
supposed to be proven on the Florida Gators football team, right?
Well, actually there have been numerous exercise physiologists who
have said that,
”…The athletes reported they felt
stronger. But the weather was cooling off somewhat as summer waned into
fall and perhaps the players were reacting to cooler weather. Further
there were no control groups of athletes taking water or another
beverage that would allow a direct comparison of the results of the new
beverage. And Gatorade's inventors had not developed quantitative tests
which would allow objective measurement of the effect of the new sports
beverage.”
The research that I could find was
split as to whether Gatorade is better than just water. Most studies found that overall
hydration was far more important than taking Gatorade surrounding an athletic
event.
I am bothered when we are told that
products are “good for us” and in reality they contain stuff that is “bad for
us”
Especially supplements and drinks that
are for getting healthier!!!
Okay, enough of this tirade…
If you have any questions, please don’t
hesitate to talk to me.
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