Following are the common health benefits of Gatorade Zero. Coconut water is naturally rich in potassium and vitamin C so it can provide additional nutrition while exercising compared to drinking water alone. He received his Master's of Science in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. Gatorade Zero can be good for your heart as the electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium can help in the contraction of heart muscles. We avoid using tertiary references. It is not marketed as providing caffeine, and none of the ingredients have caffeine naturally. While it does contain some research-backed ingredients for improving exercise performance (electrolytes and sodium citrate), we dont recommend the product due to the inclusion of a number of questionable additive ingredients including artificial sweeteners and an artificial food dye. Is Gatorade Zero Healthy? 14 Things You Should Know The formulation is very similar. In addition to adding electrolytes to the persons fluid consumption, it also adds sugar. It can also help to relieve the cramps and muscle twitching during pregnancy. Gatorade Zero is called as such because it's marketed as a zero sugar and almost calorie-free drink. Staying hydrated throughout the day is key to feeling your best during exercise. Why Is Gatorade Zero Bad for Your Health? - UpThirst However, the presence of artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and Acesulfame can interfere with blood sugar levels. Heres avideothat covers more on the science around artificial sweeteners. They have no milk, eggs, honey, or other animal byproducts. 2006;30(5):433-439. doi:10.1177/0148607106030005433. Is Gatorade Zero Good for You? Gatorade Zero or G-Zero is ideally calorie safe for you if you are worried about gaining weight. There are also concerns around possible carcinogens in artificial colors used in Gatorade Zero. Phosphates are an essential mineral, but high phosphorous intake has been linked to reduced bone density. Artificial sweeteners can potentially cause weight gain, as well as an increased risk of diabetes. If your sickness demands that your electrolytes must be replenished, such as in dehydration and diarrhea, Gatorade Zero is good for you. A lot of people dont realize that the electrolytes in sports drinks include basic table salt. The salts and electrolytes from your body are lost in this sweat. , Author| This is because due to these sweeteners, the cravings for something sweet increase and you end up eating a lot of sweet food, hence you gain weight. Ingredients shown above for the same flavor (Grape).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe formulation is very similar. Iowa State University suggests a beverage with 50 to 179 milligrams of sodium and 30 to 50 milligrams of potassium per cup, and many Gatorade options fall within these ranges. Pedialyte and Gatorade are beverages that help replenish lost water and electrolytes. If youre suffering from diarrhea or dehydration, and you need to replenish the electrolytes in your body, Gatorade is a good choice. A Keto diet is a healthy eating habit in which you eat a lot of proteins and dont eat carbohydrates. Along with these nutrients, artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and Acesulfame are also present in Gatorade zero. 2022;52(2):349-375. doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01558-y, Hobson R, Maughan R. Hydration status and the diuretic action of a small dose of alcohol. Serious athletes and people who do heavy exercise may even see benefits from drinking Gatorade, as well as water. Even if you dont eat many sweets, drinking Gatorade has a minimal effect on weight loss. If you click a link on this page and buy something, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. The University of California, Berkeleys 2014 paper concludes that childrens increase in sugary drink consumption, including energy drinks, may be contributing to weight gain in adulthood. Read myfull review of Future Kinds multivitamin here(with 10% discount). But in most other situations, plain water would likely be healthier to drink. The reason is that it helps your liver to supply blood glucose to the muscles so that they can contract properly. We believe the cons of Gatorade Zero such as all of the questionable additive ingredients like artificial sweeteners and artificial food dye outweigh the pros. Consequently, you feel dizzy and lethargic. Gatorade Zero is the healthiest as it is keto-friendly and also suitable for a weight loss diet. Both Pedialyte and Gatorade are considered safe for children and adults. Gatorade zero can keep you hydrated and enhance your ability to exercise. It is a zero-calorie drink having no caffeine in it. Both of these effects can improve water retention, particularly when engaging in strenuous activity or planning to be outdoors in the heat. Many people would consider Gatorade Zero better than soda, as Gatorade Zero is free of sugar and calories. Acidic fruits (including oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes) can irritate your bladder and are best avoided when you have a UTI, per the Mayo Clinic. Kobylewski, S., & Jacobson, M. F. (2013, November 12). But the presence of colors and artificial sweeteners still questions its goodness. 2013;1(4):140-142. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v1.i4.140. Gatorade is a great drink to compliment the meal of both athletes and heavy exercises. Currently, the recommended daily intake of sugar is 24 grams, and one 12-ounce bottle of Gatorade Frost contains 21 grams. There's a reason you're feeling low-energy all the time,." Lexie Ward on Instagram: "Start paying attention to your body. Sipping this sweet beverage does have its perks, but too much Gatorade can cause adverse side effects. Given that dehydration causes headaches by depriving the brain of water, electrolyte drinks may help ease hangover headaches by increasing water volumes. The sodium present in Gatorade zero can be harmful to your body. That is, youd expect that switching from sugar to artificial sweeteners would cause significant weight-loss but inmost studies, they causelittle to noweight loss. However, sports drinks are formulated to replace electrolytes lost in sweat during exercise. Toxicology of food dyes [Abstract]. This unfounded concern stems from the belief that Gatorade contains large amounts of phosphates. Wholesomealive is an online healthcare media publishing website. Some governments around the world have taken steps to add warnings or ban some of these dyes. One of the frequent criticisms of Gatorade is that it contains too much sugar . So, sucralose likely wont affect your weight one way or the other, based on the evidence. Otherwise healthy people also may benefit from an electrolyte boost, including athletes, people who work in the heat, or anyone experiencing transient symptoms of dehydration such as headaches, drooping skin, or extreme thirst. That said, boycotting drinks like Gatorade Zero today cant undo the animal testing that was already done. While it does contain some research-backed ingredients for improving exercise performance (electrolytes and sodium citrate), we dont recommend the product due to the inclusion of a number of questionable additive ingredients including artificial sweeteners and an artificial food dye.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Gatorade Zero Healthier Than Regular Gatorade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Gatorade_Ingredients_Optimized_1ecf9c94-d256-4d5a-89b2-0e9cb547fd0b.png?v=1669265668\" alt=\"Gatorade ingredients\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe ingredient label of regular Gatorade (12 ounce size) is shown above. They also link this to chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Unless Pedialyte is used specifically for rehydration purposes, it is better to stick to water. People can consume moderate amounts of Gatorade or other sports drinks and experience no negative effects. Gatorade can help with dehydration and Electrolyte Loss, and Gatorade does have sodium to replenish the sodium lost during an intense workout session.. Yes, Gatorade Zero is a healthy energy drink when it comes to its zero-calorie characteristics. It is also good to drink if youre experiencing symptoms like dehydration, feeling dizzy, fatigue, headache, and increased heart rate. Both are considered more effective at rehydration than plain water due to the addition of electrolytes. That said, if this suggestion is for a child, Harvard Health says the excess sugar can worsen diarrhea. Any illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea can lead to rapid electrolyte loss. Moreover, constant sweating and loss of electrolytes decrease your stamina for workouts. A 20-ounce bottle of Gatorade G Thirst Quencher contains: 4 140 calories 0 grams of fat 0 grams of fiber 270 milligrams of sodium 36 grams of carbohydrates 34 grams of sugar 0 grams of protein 80 milligrams of potassium How does the nutrition value in Gatorade stack up with recommended daily values of its main components? 2010;68(8):439458. How Much Gatorade Zero Is Too Much: Everything You Need To Know When you lose too many electrolytes, your body is less able to function normally. Popkin BM, D'Anci KE, Rosenberg IH. 1-2 grams of carbs per bottle. There are no artificial sweeteners, no added sugars and no preservatives. But drinking excess Gatorade can increase sodium intake, which is not good for your heart health. Read our, Sports Drinks Aren't Always Good for Hydration. Does nutrition ever seem confusing? If you are otherwise healthy, drinks with electrolytes when sick . Research suggests that artificial colors cause hyperactivity and behavioral issues in some children. Ill discuss whether its a good choice for weight loss, whether it raises blood sugar, and much more! A YouTube creator named Blood Sugar King published a video testing the effects of Gatorade Zero on his blood sugar levels. Gatorade contains around 21 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving and should not be used in you have diabetes. Because Gatorade is higher in sugar, it shouldn't be considered an everyday drink. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. 2015;103(3):717-723. doi:10.3945/ajcn.115.114769, Lau WY, Kato H, Nosaka K. Water intake after dehydration makes muscles more susceptible to cramp but electrolytes reverse that effect. Is zero-calorie Gatorade good for you? Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content. But theyve announced that they are moving toward an ideal limit of 1,500 mg per day. This calcium, in turn, leads to kidney stones and damages the kidneys. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. The remaining ingredients are safe and non-toxic: The formulation is very similar. Pedialyte vs. Gatorade: What's The Difference? - Healthline Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2018, Dark-colored urine and thirst are classic signs that someone is dehydrated. All right reserved. Effects of Too Much Gatorade | livestrong We highlight some questionable ingredients, share a video documenting the blood sugar effect of Gatorade Zero and compare the healthiness of Gatorade Zero to regular Gatorade. But for many people, the risk feels scary nonetheless. Regular Gatorade also has many of the questionable additive ingredients that we highlighted in the ingredient analysis of Gatorade Zero, including flavoring agents, citric acid and artificial food dye. The important thing is that Gatorade zero can replenish your electrolytes. This is it. So it seems logical that replacing one with the other should help you lose weight, or at least stay the same . So, it makes sense that replenishing with Gatorade having just 270 milligrams in 8 ounces is appropriate to prevent severe electrolyte imbalances or muscle cramps. These are the ingredients in Gatorade zero, but the overall calories in this drink are zero. Powerade and All-Sport contain 70 calories. Many Americans ingest 3400 mg of sodium per day, according to the CDC. Watch the Food for Health Masterclasscompletely freeand discover the 10 surprising nutrition breakthroughs everyone should know. If youre having a kidney problem, Gatorade Zero is not at all good for you. So, drinking Gatorade zero after a workout can be very helpful in replenishing the electrolytes. How To Manage Dehydration When You Have IBD, Symptoms of Infectious Colitis and How to Treat It, Best Traveler's Diarrhea Treatments for Symptom Relief, A randomized trial to assess beverage hydration index in healthy older adults, Get the facts: sugar-sweetened beverages and consumption, Zinc: role in the management of diarrhea and cholera, Oral rehydration for viral gastroenteritis in adults: a randomized, controlled trial of 3 solutions, Oral rehydration solutions versus drink of choice in children with dehydration: a review of clinical effectiveness, A randomized trial to assess the potential of different beverages to affect hydration status: development of a beverage hydration index, Water intake after dehydration makes muscles more susceptible to cramp but electrolytes reverse that effect, The hydrating effects of hypertonic, isotonic and hypotonic sports drinks and waters on central hydration during continuous exercise: a systematic meta-analysis and perspective, Hydration status and the diuretic action of a small dose of alcohol, Alcohol consumption and hangover patterns among migraine sufferers. Is Gatorade Zero Good for You when Pregnant? A multilingual Latina, Cristina's work has appeared on CNN and its platforms, local news affiliates across the country, and in the promotion of medical journal articles and public health messaging. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Of these, it is difficult to find research not funded heavily by industry stakeholders, including Gatorade. (Actually, for the Orange flavor it only says 5 Calories.). It sounds like his diet has a very long way to go before being healthy. But in this era where healthy eating is becoming a habit, one must have an option of a zero-calorie drink such as Gatorade Zero. Yes, it does! So it is always good to consume Gatorade and other energy drinks in moderation. Gatorade is a vitamin-enriched sports drink you can use to rehydrate when performing endurance activities such as running and cycling. It can also replace electrolytes, during times of illness, such as stomach viruses. Get the facts: sugar-sweetened beverages and consumption. Is Gatorade Zero Better Than Regular Gatorade? Is Gatorade Zero Good for You? - MEL Magazine Pedialyte and Gatorade are similar in that they both contain water, some form of sugar, and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Nov 23, 2022, Calloway Cook While these beverages are sometimes used interchangeably, Pedialyte and Gatorade differ slightly in their hydration approach. According to SugarScience by the University of California, Berkeley there are more than 300 research articles about sports drinks available. Is BodyArmor Healthy? 14 Things You Should Know Is Gatorade Zero Good for You? (Diabetics, Weight Loss, Dehydration) Sports Drinks Impact on Glucose (Blood Sugar) | ADA The powder uses. See full bio. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. These are free of artificial colors. Strangely, even though both products are the same flavor, Gatorade Zero Powder contains another artificial food dye, The one benefit of the powder over the drink (if the powder is mixed into a non-plastic container) is that there is no risk of ingesting plastic chemicals, which is a legitimate health risk when consuming acidic drinks from plastic bottles, as we highlighted in our recent review of, The healthy sports hydration drink we recommend is, This coconut water brand is also packaged in an aluminum can, which we consider a much healthier option (and better for the environment) than the plastic used to package Gatorade. Does it being sugar-free even make it healthier than regular Gatorade? Typically, sports drinks like Gatorade, or a similar product like Gatorade energy chews, are only recommended for physical activities lasting longer than 60 minutes. It has vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3and nothing else. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe do not consider Gatorade Zero to be good for you. That said, unless you are pounding the pavement for hours, filling your body full of that much sugar and sodium from one dietary source is not a healthy choice for hydration. Our mission is to provide easy to read and in-depth medical information. Drinking coconut water, tap water, or unsweetened tea would usually be a healthier choice. Nutr Rev. Gatorade Zero has around 160mg of sodium and 50mg of potassium per 12-oz serving. Gatorade Zero is also sold in a powder formulation. Are They Healthy For You? Illuminate Labs has a team of medical experts including doctors and Registered Dietitians who are assigned to review the accuracy of health claims and medical research summaries based on the relevancy of their expertise to the article topic. However, drinking excess Gatorade Zero can be unhealthy for you. Natural flavor is an ingredient that we recommend avoiding, because although it may be safer than artificial flavors, its still a descriptor that fails to document the specific flavoring agents used, and some flavoring agents are shown in clinical research to have toxicity concerns. However, drinking too much Gatorade Zero can cause some side effects, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Because Gatorade is higher in sugar, it shouldn't be considered an everyday drink. Because Pedialyte has less sugar and more zinc, it may be the better choice for someone experiencing hangover-induced vomiting or diarrhea. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or nutritional supplementation. Gatorade Fit is generally healthier than regular gatorade. Watch the free Food for Health Masterclass here. Is Gatorade good or bad for you? Benefits and risks - Medical News Today Pedialyte contains 245 milligrams of sodium per serving, or roughly one-sixth of the recommended daily intake for most adults. Gatorade would likely provide better performance optimization for elite athletes that need to refuel during long training sessions, but we consider both products to be unnecessary (and unhealthy) for the vast majority of regular consumers and athletes. However, in the case of fatty liver, Gatorade Zero is not good for you. The simple solution is to drink more. Sports Medicine. As the liver will not be able to perform the function properly, Gatorade zero will keep on damaging your liver. Sucralose was shown to negatively impact insulin function in healthy adults in a clinical trial published in the Nutrition Journal. The powder uses modified tapioca starch instead of modified food starch which isnt a relevant difference. With that said, there are situations where one may be better than the other. Gatorade, because of its electrolyte content, helps to restore the lost electrolytes and keep a person hydrated, during intense activity. 11 If an individual isn't working out and sweating or sick and dehydrated, there really is no need to drink Gatorade Zero. Youd be more likely to get too much salt from canned foods like frozen TV dinners, soup, and the like, though. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world These calories seem to come from the 2g of total carbs per container. Is zero-calorie Gatorade good for you? Among the electrolytes your body needs to function normally are: While most people get plenty of electrolytes from their diet, oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte and Gatorade can help boost levels quickly when levels drop due to excessive sweating, excessive urination (peeing), diarrhea, or vomiting. Gatorade and Powerade, for example, both contain about 25 grams of carbohydrates per 12 ounces. Nationally, 11% of UK adults - 5.8 million people - admitted they . While Gatorade can also be useful for child athletes, you might consider Gatorade Zero as a no-sugar option instead. These are a few side effects of Gatorade Zero. They help support bodily functions such as fluid regulation, muscle contractions, heart rate, and pH balance. Gatorade also helps you maintain your electrolyte levels during periods of heavy sweating. The electrolytes, artificial sweeteners and flavoring agents are exactly the same. 18 tips for weight loss without counting calories, full review of Future Kinds multivitamin here. 2019;5(1):e000478. Calloway Cook is the President of Illuminate Labs and has reviewed over 1,000 clinical trials. But here are some of the specific health concerns people have: All of these artificial colors are still being tested on animals to determine their safety. DJ Mazzoni RD, MS Here we will explain whether Gatorade is good to drink in certain health conditions or not. Before using Gatorade for yourself or a sick child, it is always best to talk with your doctor. While regular Gatorade caused a significant spike in blood sugar, Gatorade Zero actually caused a slight decrease in blood sugar: We dont recommend regularly consuming Gatorade Zero for those who are diabetic or pre-diabetic due to the reasoning described in the video, but this may suggest that it may be a safer occasional choice for patients with blood sugar issues than Gatorade. For optimal health, your daily sodium intake should not exceed 2,300 milligrams. A research review from the University of California, Berkley in 2014 points out that most researchers are basing their results on the performance of serious athletes. World J Clin Cases. Therefore, serious athletes competing or exercising for longer than an hour at a time may find Gatorade offers benefits that water does not. This is not to suggest that Pedialyte is "safer" for long-term consumption. According to Healthy Eating Research in 2012, peoples intake of sugary drinks has increased significantly in the last 3 decades.