Is gatorade really as benefitial as it claims?

Nothing magical: Most people probably just need water to replenish what is lost after exercise but for prolonged exercise of over an hour an electrolyte fluid like gatorade may be helpful to replenish some lost electrolytes due to exercise.

Very Beneficial: Gatoraide is made up of the various electrolytes your body normally sweats out during stressful conditions. The formula is much like the one the world health organization (who) recommends for the replenish fluids in dehydration. See who/unicef publication, 'oral rehydration salts: production of the new ors'. See: http://www.Who.Int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr14/en/.