With flavors like Cool Blue, Blackout Berry, Lemon-Lime, Mountain Berry Blast, and Pink Lemonade, it’s no wonder young athletes are so attracted to them.
But before you let your child grab one, know that many of these sports drinks contain artificial flavors and food coloring to achieve those vibrant, almost neon colors. And the worst part is that some include nearly as much sugar as sodas.
Here is a breakdown of the most popular sports drink and how much sugar is loaded into them:
Gatorade
The average 20-ounce bottle = 34 grams of sugar
Introduced in 1965, Gatorade is undoubtedly the most well-known sports drink in the world, and accounts for 75% of market share in the sports drink category. Gatorade flavors include Glacier Freeze, Mango Extreme, and Citrus Cooler.
Staminade
100ml bottle = 6 grams of sugar
Staminade is an electrolyte sports drink with flavors like Wild Berry Rush and Orange Blast.
SoBe Life Water
Some 20-ounce bottles = 23 – 25 grams of sugar
Life Water comes in 16 different flavors like Yumberry Pomegranate, Macintosh Apple Cherry, and Blackberry Dragonfruit.
Vitamin Water
Most 20-ounce bottles = 32 grams of sugar
Vitamin Water is a mineral water product distributed by Energy Brands introduced in 2000. Vitamin Water flavors include Açaí-Blueberry-Pomegranate and Pink Lemonade.
Bodyarmor
8-ounce bottle = 17 grams of sugar
The Bodyarmor sports drink is made of coconut water which experts say have too much potassium and is full of electrolytes. It’s advertised as all-natural and comes in flavors like Strawberry Banana, Blackout Berry, and Pineapple Coconut.
Propel Water
20-ounce bottle = 2 grams sugar
Propel Water is a brand of flavored bottled water advertised as being loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. Propel Water comes in flavors like Cranberry Lime, Peach, and Cherry Lime.
Sqwincher
12-ounce bottle = 26 grams sugar
Sqwincher advertises itself as a hydration solution. It comes in an assortment of flavors such as Cool Citrus, Mixed Berry, and Strawberry Lemonade.
Pocari Sweat
500ml bottle = 6.7 grams of sugar.
Pocari Sweat is a Japanese sports drink, manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical. It is advertised as an “ion supply drink” and has a mild grapefruit flavor.
Aspire
12-ounce bottle = 8 grams of sugar
The Aspire Fire, Ice, Storm, Rush and Rise sports drinks that are fortified with electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. They come in cherry-berry, lemon-lime, and grape flavors.
Powerade
The 20-ounce bottle = 34 grams of sugar
Powerade is a sports drink manufactured and marketed by The Coca-Cola Company. Powerade flavors include Fruit Punch, Kiwi Pineapple, and Watermelon Strawberry Wave.
While many of these sports drinks are very popular and even endorsed by professional athletes, remember that the best way for your child to quench their thirst and remain adequately hydrated is to drink water. Water contains no sugar, no artificial flavoring, and no food coloring. These sports drinks may be fun to look at; however, consuming sugar after exercise can have adverse effects on their health.