Alternatively, try looking for sports drinks that are minimally processed and don’t rely on artificial ingredients. Some Powerade products rely on artificial food dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1. Like artificial sweeteners, there’s much debate about whether these are safe.

Powerade Berry/Tropical Fruit 500M - Tesco Groceries

While Powerade has some advantages, the list of problems with the drink is surprisingly long. Some of these apply to everyone who drinks Powerade, while others are only relevant to people who aren’t exercising heavily. The Sugar The Zero Sugar range is similar to the regular Powerade products, except that these are sugar free. Flavors include Watermelon Berry, Citrus Peach, Fruit Punch, and Strawberry, so there are no surprises here. The electrolytes in Powerade may make it better at hydration than pure water. Still, in most cases, you don’t need any more hydration than water provides. . Balances Your Electrolytes Having an electrolyte imbalance can lead to many side effects, including muscle fatigue and dehydration. Severe electrolyte imbalances can even be dangerous, putting you at risk for heart failure and other health issues.But, drinks with added sodium can easily be a problem too. Many people are already consuming too much sodium and the last thing they need is more. Some people even need to cut down on sodium to protect their hearts. Powerade isn’t a GMO-free drink. Instead, some of the ingredients come from genetically engineered crops. What this means for health is difficult to know. The Power Water products have some of the same features as some of the other options, including B vitamins and electrolytes. This is another zero sugar product, so it relies on artificial sweeteners for sweetness. This is the original product. It’s marketed as a sports drink and tends to be brightly colored. There are plenty of flavors to choose from, including Mountain Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime, White Cherry, and Citrus Passionfruit. The biggest problem comes when people treat sports drinks as just another beverage. Unless you’re exercising heavily, you’re not going to need the extra electrolytes in Powerade. They might even be dangerous if you drink Powerade too often.

Powerade Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best - Mashed 15 Powerade Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best - Mashed

You could also make your own ‘sports drink’. For example, Samantha from Five Heart Home offers a recipe for a homemade Gatorade alternative, one that relies on natural ingredients to give you a tasty electrolyte drink. The basic ingredients of any drink include water and sugar syrup. In the case of Powerade, the ingredients are different from other stimulants as it mainly provides electrolytes and vitamins. The Powerade ingredients are:

Even the sugar and calories in Powerade might not be bad for high performance athletes, as they are burning calories as part of their exercise. Powerade Ultra is promoted as the next level of the zero sugar Powerade. It still has the same electrolytes and artificial sweeteners, but has some extra items in the mix too, including BCAAs (branched chain amino acids), more electrolytes, and some extra B vitamins.

Powerade Ion4 Berry and Tropical Flavour 500 ml (Pack of 12) Powerade Ion4 Berry and Tropical Flavour 500 ml (Pack of 12)

So, why not look for a different beverage instead? There are many healthier options, including some that still contain electrolytes and have fewer concerning ingredients.Sugar leads to high blood sugar levels too. This is another problematic effect, one that’s been linked to many health issues. Artificial Sweeteners The electrolytes in Powerade are a good thing, right? Well, they are if you have lost some electrolytes during exercise and need to replenish them. But, if you’re not exercising enough, the electrolytes could do more harm than good. Also, if you’re going to use Powerade, pay close attention to the amount that you drink and the frequency. Be careful with the ingredients label too, as this can be a little misleading. In July 2002, the Coca-Cola Company started in Toogoolawah by updating the bottles of the standard Powerade (previous logo styling) to a new sport-grip bottle.

Powerade - Wikipedia

Even though Sucrose and sugar help in digestion, energizing, and absorbance of fluid still many people especially diabetic people can’t have even a minor intake of sugar. That is why Powerade Zero was introduced. Powerade Zero Ingredients: Coconut water is the simplest place to begin, as it contains some electrolytes and a little sugar. Unlike Powerade, coconut water is a very natural product. The sugar content is lower than Powerade, which could be helpful. Sugar along with Sucrose in the ingredients of Powerade serves as the Glucose source. Not only do they make sports drinks energizing, but they also make them tastier. The addition of salts and Electrolytes often makes the drink a little sour and to balance the taste adding a permitted amount of sugar is necessary. One other Ingredient of Powerade that balances the taste is Malic Acid. It is the same acid that is found in apples, Grapes, and Watermelons. It is safe to consume and actually intensifies the flavor of the drink. Excessive sodium is a common problem, which can lead to dizziness and even vomiting, while increasing your risk of heart problems too. High levels of magnesium, on the other hand, might lead to damage to your muscles and brain. If you don’t need electrolytes (and most of us don’t), then try looking for a low-calorie drink that isn’t heavily processed. Lemon water is an easy choice here. You could make infused water too. Both options give you flavor-filled water without any artificial ingredients. Final Thoughts

Getting these in Powerade helps reduce the risk of deficiency, especially for vitamin B12, which is mostly found in animal-based foods. The Health Risks Of Powerade While Powerade has some advantages for athletes, it’s still a highly processed drink that relies on some concerning ingredients. Some versions are high in sugar, while others use artificial sweeteners instead, neither of which are great for your health. The brand is also the exclusive beverage sponsor of the Hoops in the Sun basketball summer league, based at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York. It is the only summer basketball league to be sponsored by the brand. Honestly, there isn’t much difference between this and the other Powerade products. The most noticeable one is that Power Water skips the coloring, so it’s clear rather than brightly colored.