Why is sports drinks used to collect the cheeks cells?

Sports drinks are often used to collect cheek cells because they contain ingredients that help to dislodge cells from the inner lining of the mouth. The sugars and electrolytes in these drinks can promote hydration and facilitate the gentle scraping or rinsing needed to gather cells effectively. Additionally, the flavoring in sports drinks can encourage individuals to swish the liquid around their mouths, maximizing cell collection. This method is non-invasive and can yield a sufficient number of cells for various types of analysis.