Why powerade is bad for you

Note: This post is about the Powerade Zero Sugar product line. I checked the ingredients for 3 popular flavors, and they were all roughly the same:. As you can see, the main ingredients of concern are the artificial sweeteners and artificial colors.

Personally, I try to avoid Powerade Zero because of the artificial sweeteners. I would be fine with the other ingredients. But it all depends on your preferences. Powerade Zero contains two artificial sweeteners, sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Both of these sweeteners are FDA approved and generally recognized as safe, but there remains some controversy around the long-term health impacts of each. The most widely controversial artificial sweetener is probably aspartame.

Personally, I avoid aspartame because of the research showing possible connections to depression. Powerade Zero does not contain aspartame. Another sweetener people sometimes have questions about is xylitol, especially since it is bad for dogs. Powerade Zero does not contain xylitol. Most of the health concerns around artificial sweeteners are not well proven, but for many people, the risk feels scary nonetheless. Research suggests that artificial colors cause hyperactivity and behavioral issues in some children.

There are also concerns around possible carcinogens in artificial colors used in Powerade Zero. But here are some of the specific health concerns people have:. All of these colors are still being tested on animals to determine their safety. The most established problem is hyperactivity in kids. Some governments around the world have taken steps to add warnings or ban some of these dyes. There seems to be misinformation online about this. I found the most credible references to Yellow 6 being banned in Japan and several European countries.

A possible solution: If you want to drink Powerade Zero without artificial colors, you may want to look at the White Cherry flavor. It appears to be free of artificial colors. However, it still has artificial sweeteners. The main reason people choose zero-calorie drinks like Powerade Zero is to lose weight. But the evidence shows that artificial sweeteners are surprisingly ineffective for weight loss.

One explanation is this: Artificial sweeteners keep you accustomed to sweet foods. Sports drinks are designed to rehydrate your body and restore carbs, electrolytes , and other nutrients that you may lose during exercise Nonetheless, the benefits of drinking sports drinks like Powerade and Gatorade depend on the activity and individual. That said, beverages with carbs, such as Powerade and Gatorade, may enhance athletic performance in continuous exercise of 1—4 hours or longer Several studies note that Powerade and Gatorade help improve performance in prolonged exercises like running, cycling, and triathlons, compared with a placebo 16 , 17 , Most of these studies were performed in athletes, so the results may not apply to those who engage in low or moderate levels of exercise.

Powerade and Gatorade may benefit athletes who participate in continuous and prolonged exercise. There is little evidence supporting that one drink is better at enhancing performance compared with the other. Powerade and Gatorade are both popular sports drinks. While their nutritional differences are negligible, Powerade has more micronutrients. Both drinks have similar effects on athletic performance and contain added sugar , which may negatively affect your health.

Companies that make products such as Gatorade and Powerade market their drinks to youth sports teams, but experts say the liquids are loaded with….

Sports drinks are a big part of athletics and big business around the globe, but some debate whether they're any more hydrating than water. Electrolytes like salt, potassium, and calcium perform a variety of important functions within your body. When trying to keep a sick child hydrated, parents pull out all the stops and this is why parents often choose these popular hydration drinks for their children, they are sweet and taste good.

The truth is, they are not as healthy as people believe they are. It depends on the quality of the drink. Cheaply made hydration drinks, electrolyte drinks and sports drinks are often a concoction of artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, and artificial flavorings. Let's take Powerade Zero, for example. If you have diabetes, this is a drink you may reach for to hydrate and replace electrolytes thinking it would be a great alternative for a drink without sugar.

Here is a breakdown of the less than desirable ingredients found in Powerade Zero. Many popular brands of hydration drinks are loaded with unhealthy items and because these brands are targeting a younger demographic they make them sweet. Many of these sports drinks for example have dextrose added. Dextrose is referred to as simple sugar and is derived from corn.

And most, if not all of the time, it's GMO corn. It can be found in processed foods, sports supplements, baking products and pastries. There are some benefits of consuming dextrose. Since this compound is identical to glucose, it provides quick energy and benefits athletes because of their high energy output. It is used to treat low blood sugar. All simple sugars, including dextrose can cause spikes in blood sugar and contribute to diabetes and insulin resistance. Dextrose is quickly absorbed into your system and can skyrocket blood glucose levels, which is bad for diabetics.

The healthiest sports drink is one that is made with all organic, real ingredients. The one that is crafted with care and not mass-produced with little quality control. Hydrate was created by Olympic athlete Kris Buchanan. Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible. Very healthy and numerous health benefits.

Side effects are rare. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious. It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. Very beneficial to your health. Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to. More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.

The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of. Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Still, moderation is important.