Is Water or Gatorade better to drink after an activity?

After exercise, especially after intense exercise, you sweat and lose electrolytes, as well as water. Drinking water plain will replenish and hydrate you, but not replace electrolytes. Drinking Gatorade or another "sports drink" will both hydrate you and replenish electrolytes. However, Gatorade and other sports drinks often contain a lot of sugar and calories, so if you are watching either of those, drink Gatorade in moderation.