Think back to the first time you saw a Gatorade commercial in the 90s. They marketed the drink as sweet and energizing, but real athletes knew the back label was full of salt.
Fun fact: The original Gatorade formula was developed for the University of Florida Gators football team in 1965. The early batches tasted so salty that players complained, leading to the addition of lemon juice and sugar to balance it.
Salt taste is surprisingly mysterious | Knowable Magazine
Even in modern cocktail culture, the salty rim of a margarita is a culinary nod to electrolytes. The salt actually enhances the citrus flavors and helps you rehydrate faster while you sip on vacation. Smart bartenders know this.
