Do you have school-aged kids? If so, there’s a good chance they’ve come home begging for this recently. “All their friends are drinking it.”
It’s everywhere at every kid’s sporting event and often times parents see the “no sugar” label and think it’s a better alternative to sugary Gatorade and Powerade type drinks… but is it really?
PRIME ingredients – The first 2 are FILTERED WATER and COCONUT WATER – both of which are good choices for hydration, but that’s about as good as it gets.
PRIME may not contain any sugar, but instead it’s sweetened with SUCRALOSE and ACESULFAME POTASSIUM both of which are artificial sweeteners which multiple studies have shown to negatively impact insulin function, metabolic regulation, gut health, and brain health.
❌ Just because they’re “not sugar” does not mean they are a healthy alternative – especially for children!
⚡️PRIME contains branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) l-isoleucine, l-valine and l-leucine but they are at doses too low to be beneficial. PRIME also includes added vitamins like vitamin A, B6, and B12 which are likely from low quality, synthetic sources which may do more harm than good and may cause toxicity in some consumers.
⚡️Gatorade contains 21 g added sugars – sugar and dextrose being the second and third ingredients respectively. Gatorade also contains artificial colors Red 40 and Caramel Color which have been linked to negative health effects and behavioral problems in both adults and children. Gatorade also contains synthetic vitamins of questionable quality, as well as processed stabilizers, thickeners, and fillers.
⚖️ Bottom line – if you’re simply avoiding added sugar and artificial colors – PRIME is the better option, however we would not consider it to be “healthy” or even “healthier” than other sports drinks on the market and WE DO NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR ADULTS OR CHILDREN.
Sugars, artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, additives – these drinks are not hydrating your kiddos!
In fact, they could be harmful to their health.
Artificial colorings are widely used in food, beverages, medications, and cosmetics to achieve bright, “more appealing” shades of color. The CSPI released a report that says artificial food dyes pose a “rainbow of risks,” including everything from behavioral issues, to allergies, to cancer.
Sugar. Consuming high amounts of sugar can weaken the immune system, increase risks of diabetes and other chronic diseases, can cause weight gain, and can promote tooth decay.
“One sugary drink won’t hurt.”
But the “just one” adds up when you consider how much other additional sugar you/your kids are consuming throughout the day. Keep in mind, the AHA recommends not consuming more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day.
Artificial sweeteners, like sucralose, can greatly increase your risk of developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Artificial sweeteners also disrupt gut bacteria and cause inflammation in the digestive system leading to IBS type symptoms, leaky gut, and even Crohn’s disease. They have even been linked to certain cancers.
Sports drinks are also high in acid. Gatorade and other sports drinks like it are as acidic as soda!! Acids actually steal our electrolytes which means that the more acidic you are, the more dehydrated you’ll become. The acids in Gatorade can also erode tooth enamel, making way for tooth decay and cavities to form.
There are many other ways to re-hydrate while replenishing your electrolytes that are not as acidic and do not contain refined sugars or artificial ingredients.
If you eat a healthy diet and drink adequate water—so that your urine is clear to pale yellow—you don’t need to drink electrolyte drinks on a regular basis because your electrolyte levels should be balanced.
If you’re looking for better alternatives to sugary sports drinks, try some of these better options instead!
