Gatorade's New Hydration Game Plan

0:00It's April 21st. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Durham News today, your AI-powered local news. Gatorade started back in 1965 when University of Florida scientists whipped up a carb electrolyte drink for the football team. It blew up from there, grabbing athletes everywhere, and now under PepsiCo, it owned 65.5% of the sports-string market, with over. $7.5 billion in sales last year. PepsiCo just kicked off a fresh chapter for the brand, tackling America's big hydration gap where more than 150 million folks feel. Mildly or moderately dehydrated every week. They're responding with clearer labels on packaging to show how their drinks hydrate better, faster, or longer than plain water. Consumers are picky these days, dodging sugary sodas for healthier picks, and that's hitting PepsiCo's overall sales. Gatorade steps up by adding new line-up stars, like Gatorlight, for longer-lasting fluid retention, plus formulas with way less sugar and a push to ditch. All artificial colors,

1:04the revamp rolls out in stages, starting with Gatorade lower sugar that cuts sugar by 75%, skips artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. Later this spring, powder sticks lose artificial colors, and by fall, classic flavors like fruit punch, lemon lime, and orange switch to natural. Colors from fruits and veggies. These moves could pull health-focused shoppers back, helping PepsiCo tap into the massive wellness boom, and keep dominating like it has for over a century.