Nutrition

How to Interpret Food Marketing Jargon

How to Interpret Food Marketing Jargon

It’s easy to be misled by food marketing terms, with their vague definitions and easily misinterpreted wording.  It can be difficult for shoppers to know when the claims made by food labels actually mean what they appear to, or when they are purposefully misleading to draw in health conscious consumers.  Listed below are just a few of the most common food marketing terms defined and debunked.

Should I Drink Sports Drinks When Exercising?

Should I Drink Sports Drinks When Exercising?

Despite declining sales in sugary beverages such as soda and juice over the last decade, the US sports drink market is safe and here to stay.  The sports drink market of $852.0 million in 2017 is projected to grow to $1,135.2 million by the end of 2023 at a CAGR of 4.3%. The market is overwhelmingly dominated by Gatorade, having 77% market share, with PowerAde in second with only 20% share.  The millennial generation seems to drive the sports drink market exponentially with their interest in fitness and willingness to pay for health products. On the surface, sports drinks seem to provide the optimal method of quenching thirst with their convenient capacity to both re-hydrate and replenish electrolytes lost through sweat during a tough workout, however, a question lies in whether Gatorade’s clever marketing schemes demonizing thirst provide an accurate picture of when sports drinks are helpful in optimizing health and performance, and when they are just a waste of money.

Exercise Induced Hypoglycemia

Exercise Induced Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the term used to describe a low blood glucose.  A blood glucose level below 70mg/dL is considered hypoglycemia, and often manifests as symptoms including:

  • Fatigue

  • Pale skin

  • Tremors

  • Irritability

  • Tingling Sensation Around the Mouth

  • Dizziness

  • Sweating