In addition to the sodium, sports drinks are extremely high in sugar and carbohydrates. In a 20 oz bottle of Gatorade, there is 34 grams of sugar, and a 12 oz bottle of Powerade has 21 grams. For the average person doing moderate exercise, the electrolytes in the drink are not worth the added sugar and calories.
The short answer is that there are nutrients in Powerade that can help your body replenish lost liquids and essential salts or minerals you've lost through sweating. But, Powerade is high in sugar, artificial flavors, salt, and artificial colors, none of which are particularly good for your health.
Powerade contains sugar, so it's essential to be mindful of sugar intake. Overall, Powerade is good for you in moderation. It can provide essential nutrients and electrolytes lost during exercise, and it can also provide energy and help keep you hydrated.
Both Gatorade and Powerade contain carbohydrates in the form of sugar that replenishes energy lost during a workout. In fact, each contains 21 grams of sugar per 12-fluid-ounce serving.
Though they have considerably less sugar than a soda, sports drinks such as Gatorade, Powerade, and Vitamin Water are still packed with sugar. Gatorade and Powerade both contain 34 grams of sugar in their 20 oz bottles.
Although Gatorade and Powerade can help you stay hydrated, it's best to drink them only when needed. If you are not exercising for at least one hour, water is the best bet for staying hydrated. Electrolytes come from natural sources without added sugar and dyes.
The Bottom Line
Water should be the primary hydration source for children and adults, and sports drinks should only be used during time of high intensity and prolonged athletic events. If you have any questions about hydration during exercise, please make sure to consult your UnityPoint Health primary care provider.
It's not a healthy drink." Story says a 20-ounce sports drink may have fewer calories than a soda, but it has more sugar and more sodium -- and no nutritional value.
Drinking too many electrolytes can have negative effects
Powerade is a great drink for those who are exercising for long periods of time and need to replenish their electrolytes. But if you're not active, you could be at risk for developing hypernatremia, which is caused from having too much sodium in the blood.
The main disadvantage of most sports drinks is their high caloric content. These calories come from sugars, which usually make up 4 to 9 percent of the drink. These sugars can help give you greater endurance if you drink them during long exercise sessions.
Gatorade has 160 mg of sodium and 45 mg of potassium, compared to Powerade's 150 mg sodium and 35 mg potassium. Based on these numbers alone, Gatorade is slightly better at replenishing your electrolytes. However, Powerade has some other bonus nutrients like niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and magnesium.
The Powerade Ultra line is similar to the Powerade Zero Sugar line, but its sugar-free formula is even more advanced when it comes to the vitamins and other nutrients it contains.
To avoid dehydration and get the most out of yourself and out of your sports drink, you should drink before, during, and after sport. POWERADE ION4 is perfect for each of these times.
While it is true that Powerade Zero contains no sugar or calories, it is comprised of a variety of other chemically-altered ingredients that can actually be more harmful to your health than natural sugar. For example, instead of sugar, Powerade Zero contains artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame.
The amount of calories and sugar in Powerade can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.
Best Overall: Gatorade
The levels of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) are moderate and sensible with 160 mg of sodium and 45mg of potassium per 12 fluid ounce serving. You can also find Gatorade varieties with higher sodium, zero sugar or no calories depending on your needs.
“The Australian sports drink market is currently dominated by global giant Powerade, with even its closest competitor Gatorade 25% behind,” said Andrew Price, General Manager, consumer Products, Roy Morgan Research.
Which sports drink is really the best? Overall, none of the options are very healthy but, Vitamin Water was by far the healthiest with only 13 grams of sugar and 50 calories. Gatorade and Powerade both had 32 grams of sugar and 150 calories making them very unhealthy. In general, Vitamin Water scored proficient.
The short answer is yes; sports drinks are good for dehydration. As its name suggests, sports drinks were created explicitly for athletes to prevent dehydration. While they're not the end-all, be-all option to secure a hydrated future, their electrolyte fluids pack a punch before, during, and after a good workout.
“Sports drinks have sodium in them, so they're going to make you thirsty. When you're thirsty, you want to drink more. In doing so, you're keeping your body hydrated. That's a good thing,” she says.
Sports Drinks and Health
Drinking too many of these, especially when not performing vigorous exercise, can increase the risk of overweight/obesity and other health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gout. There is also a risk of dental caries.