Powerade is a sports drink created by Coca-Cola in 1988. Many athletes use Powerade to replenish their energy. Powerade is made to replenish electrolytes that are lost during physical activity. That all sounds like Powerade is pretty good for you, but what’s actually in a bottle of Powerade? Below you’ll find the answer to how much sugar, calories, sodium, and caffeine are in Powerade.
The short answer is that Powerade does not contain caffeine. Keep reading for more!
What is in a Bottle of Powerade?
Powerade markets itself as, and is seen as, a healthy drink, but is that true? The serving size for Powerade is 8 fluid ounces, and it has 77.9 calories. Powerade contains slightly more calories than 8 ounces of Gatorade, which has 63 calories. An 8-ounce serving of Powerade also contains 102.2 milligrams of sodium, 19.1 carbohydrates, 14.9 grams of sugar, and no caffeine.
Powerade contains no caffeine, so you don’t have to fear caffeine’s side effects. So, you know you don’t have to worry about caffeine-related side effects from Powerade, but which side effects should you worry about? Keep reading, and we’ll tell you all about Powerade’s possible side effects.
Side Effects of Drinking Powerade
Drinking Powerade carries with It a list of health risks. Some health risks come from drinking too much Powerade, some from drinking it without any physical activity, and some from drinking it in general.
Too Much Sugar
Powerade contains a staggering 14.9 grams of sugar, more than a third of your daily recommended sugar intake. The daily recommended sugar intake for a grown man is 36 grams a day, even less for a grown woman, so one bottle of Powerade is 165% of your daily recommended sugar intake.
Sugar has been linked to several different health risks and conditions. Sugar can lead to weight gain and fatigue, increasing your disease risk. Sugar can also cause high blood pressure and inflammation, which are both hazardous conditions.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Powerade replenishes electrolytes, but what if it’s giving you more electrolytes than you’ve lost? If you haven’t exercised enough, the electrolytes can be harmful. Getting too many electrolytes is a problem, and Powerade makes it very easy to get too many.
Too Much Sodium
You lose sodium as you sweat, which is why sports drinks include it. The problems begin when you get too much sodium; too much sodium leads to problems with your heart. Drinks that have added sodium can be hazardous.
Most people don’t need more sodium. You should only drink something with added sodium after intense exercise.
Health Benefits of Drinking Powerade
Despite its possible side effects, drinking Powerade also has some health benefits. Remember that you shouldn’t regularly drink Powerade. It’s marketed as a sports drink meant to be consumed after intense physical activity.
Energy
Powerade offers a source of energy; the carbs in Powerade are digested quickly. This means that the energy boost is almost instant and can be vital if you’re exercising.
While exercising, your body loses its stored glucose. Drinks like Powerade are a quick way to replenish it. You can’t eat something to restore glucose while you’re in the middle of intense exercise, and the best way to replenish your glucose is through Powerade.
Vitamins and Minerals
Powerade contains vitamins and minerals that are good for the human body. These vitamins and minerals include potassium, vitamin B12, magnesium, and calcium. Getting these vitamins through Powerade lowers your risk of deficiency. It’s also efficient since the vitamin and minerals come from different places; vitamin B12 can only be found in animal foods, and potassium comes mostly from fruits and vegetables.
Closing Thoughts
Powerade contains no caffeine, and despite this, there are still some health risks you need to look out for. A high amount of sodium, sugar, and electrolytes can lead to problems if you drink Powerade without engaging in intense exercise. Powerade also comes with health benefits. These benefits include improved hydration, replenishing your glucose, and getting you some of your daily vitamins and minerals.
It’s essential to remember that Powerade is a sports drink. It is meant to be consumed after intense physical activity, not as a substitute for water. If you drink it regularly, you probably get far more electrolytes, sodium, and sugar than you need. When consumed responsibly after or during physical activity, Powerade is more beneficial.
