In the 1960s a number of pioneering studies emanating from Scandinavia demonstrated the relationship between diet, muscle glycogen storage and exercise potential. In this period, much attention was directed to augmentation of glycogen reserves prior to competition and this led to the development of a small number of specialized sports products, including a sports drink 'Dynamo' containing a high concentration of carbohydrate.
In Japan, a drink called Lipovitan-D in 1962 was introduced by a company named Taisho Pharmaceuticals. Lipovitan D had extra caffeine and vitamins and was marketed as medicinal tonics. The addition of taurine and niacin in the drink was to enhance and improvement of energy and concentration.
The first isotonic drinks were developed for use by university sports teams. The earliest of these was formulated by Dr Martin Broussard for use by the Louisiana State University football team, the 'Tigers', and named 'Bengal Punch'.
In the early 1960s, the University of Florida research team began development of a drink that would rapidly replace body fluids and help prevent the severe dehydration caused by hot weather and physical exertion.
The research shows that the fluids, electrolytes and carbohydrates the players lost during practice and competition were not being adequately replenished.
The scientists used these findings to formulate a new carbohydrate-electrolyte. The introduction of Gatorade helped change the fluid-replacement practices of athletes across the United States and around the world including Australia. The product received national publicity when the Gators beat their opponents in the prestigious Orange Bowl final. This product, known as 'Gatorade', entered the market in 1969 and became the first to be promoted as a sports drink.
Later, in 1987, Red Bull energy drink was invented. The introduction of Red Bull was accomplished by Dietrich Mateschitz in collaboration with Chaleo Yoovidhya, Thai manufacturer and founder of a beverage named Krating Daeng. The popularity of Red Bull quickly spread in Europe and a decade later appeared on the U.S. market.
In the past, sports drinks were made hypertonic because of the overuse of simple sugars and electrolytes and were detrimental to performance. In the 1980s, many sports drink manufacturers began using maltodextrins in their drinks in addition to simple sugars.
History of sport drinks
