Gatorade – that’s right in this post I am going to be talking about that thing football players splash over winning coaches, which comes in bright colors and is designed for working out. It’s time to talk about sports drinks, but not any sports drink – the most popular sports drink in the US – Gatorade. According to Statista, 59.05 percent of people aged 18-29 say they drink Gatorade over a 4-week period. That figure went to 61.13% for 30-49 years old and 58.56% for 50-64 years old. It’s popular. Owned by PepsiCo, Gatorade owns 67.7% of the US sports drink market and according to YouGov, it is the 15th most popular beverage in America. See, I told you it was popular. But what is Gatorade, is it good for you, and most importantly is it Vegan? In this post, I am going to answer 10 things you need to know specifically about Gatorade Zero.
What is Gatorade?
First, I should answer the most obvious question “what is Gatorade and, specifically Gatorade Zero?”. Gatorade is a sports drink designed in 1965 at the University of Florida. It was made to help their football team recover by providing energy and electrolytes (the football team was called the Gators – hence Gatorade).
Gatorade Zero is positioned as an electrolyte sports drink. This means it doesn’t contain any added vitamins so it can’t be considered a vitamin drink or vitamin water. If this picks your interest you can try a variety pack of Gatorade Zero from Amazon here.
If you wanted to learn more about Vitamin Waters and/or Energy Drinks and whether they are vegan I cover both topics in two separate posts which you can find here:
- Is Vitamin Water Vegan? How To Know The Difference
- Are Energy Drinks Vegan? Complete Guide To Finding Out
Now we know what Gatorade is let’s go into the 10 things you need to know about Gatorade Zero.
10 Things You Need To Know About Gatorade Zero
1. What Flavors Does Gatorade Zero Come In?
| The Ten Gatorade Zero Flavors |
|---|
| Glacier Cherry |
| Glacier Freeze |
| Grape |
| Lemon Lime |
| Lime Cucumber |
| Berry |
| Orange |
| Fruit Punch |
| Cool Blue |
| Strawberry Kiwi |
2. What Are The Ingredients of Gatorade Zero?
| Gatorade Zero Flavor | Gatorade Zero Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Glacier Cherry | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, MIXED TRIGLYCERIDES, SUCRALOSE, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM” |
| Glacier Freeze | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, BLUE 1” |
| Grape | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, BLUE 1” |
| Lemon Lime | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, RED 40, BLUE 1” |
| Lime Cucumber | – “WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1” |
| Berry | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN” |
| Orange | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, GUM ARABIC, NATURAL FLAVOR, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCROSE ACETATE ISOBUTYRATE, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, YELLOW 6” |
| Fruit Punch | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, SUCRALOSE, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, RED 40, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, CARAMEL COLOR” |
| Cool Blue | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, MIXED TRIGLYCERIDES, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, BLUE 1” |
| Strawberry Kiwi | “WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, SALT, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, MIXED TRIGLYCERIDES, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, RED 40” |
3. What’s The Difference Between Gatorade and Gatorade Zero?
Like Gatorade, Gatorade Zero is designed to keep people hydrated with electrolytes. The main difference between Gatorade and Gatorade Zero can be found in the sugar content. Gatorade is sweetened with sugar and can contain up to 35g of sugar per bottle. Gatorade Zero in comparison is sweetened with two artificial sweeteners – sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
4. How Much Sugar Does Gatorade Zero Have?
Gatorade zero contains 0 grams of sugar.
5. What Sweetener is in Gatorade Zero?
Gatorade Zero is sweetened with two artificial sweeteners – sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
6. Is Gatorade Zero Vegan?
There do not appear it be any animal-derived ingredients in Gatorade Zero.
The main non-vegan concern is that Gatorade Zero contains both artificial colors and sweeteners – animal testing is often used in creating artificial colors and sweeteners. Gatorade (regular, not Gatorade Zero) is listed on PETAs list of vegan beverages.
It is also worth noting that if you would like to try a Gatorade Zero that does not contain artificial colors then the Glacier Cherry and the Berry do not contain artificial colors.
7. Is Gatorade Zero Good for Electrolytes?
Gatorade Zero does contains electrolytes and is a good source of electrolytes. Electrolytes are lost through sweating and so electrolytes usually need replacing after exercise. Electrolytes are important for all kinds of bodily functions including nervous system regulation.
8. Is Gatorade Zero Good For You After a Workout?
Gatorade Zero helps to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes after an intense workout.
The electrolytes that Gatorade Zero replaces are electrolytes like sodium and potassium – each bottle of Gatorade Zero contains 160mg of sodium and 50mg of potassium.
9. Is Gatorade Zero Better Than Water For Dehydration?
If you have done a very high-intensity workout and really require electrolytes and rehydration, then Gatorade Zero could be a good option. But, if you have just done a low-intensity workout, water may be the healthier option – it will rehydrate you and doesn’t contain artificial colors and sweeteners.
10. Can You Drink Too Much Gatorade Zero?
Gatorade Zero is designed to replace electrolytes and rehydrate after a workout – particularly an intense workout. As with everything in life, moderation is key – it is possible to drink too much Gatorade Zero. Particularly bear in mind that Gatorade Zero contains sodium – if you drink Gatorade Zero all day long and aren’t exercising you could potentially be consuming too much sodium.
Gatorade Zero – The Final Sip
Gatorade Zero – what is the main thing you should take away from this article? Well, Gatorade and Gatorade Zero are both vegan drinks. The main difference between the two is the way they are sweetened. If you are vegan and conscious about what you are putting into your body but want a replenishing electrolyte drink after a workout, then Gatorade Zero may be a good choice for you (you can try a variety pack from Amazon here). Just remember only Glacier Cherry and the Berry are the only versions that do not contain artificial colors. And, if you are not working out then probably just stick to water.
…now I Know.
Beverage makers may change ingredients and/or manufacturing processes. Always double-check ingredients before purchasing any beverages.
Like What You Are Reading
Want to learn more? Need to know if your favorite Soda is vegan? How about that morning coffee or orange juice – think those are vegan…well do you? It’s time to find out. Check out some of my other non-alcoholic vegan articles:
- Are Energy Drinks Vegan? Complete Guide To Finding Out
- Is Vitamin Water Vegan? How To Know The Difference
- 7 Vegan Energy Drinks You Really Need To Know About
- Is Soda Vegan? Revealing What You Need To Know
- Is Cream Soda Vegan? Unlock All You Need To Know
- Is Root Beer Beer Vegan? Unlock The Hidden Root Cause
- How To Find out – Is Boba Vegan?
- Is Kombucha Vegan? The Complete Facts You Need To Know
- 8 Amazing Vegan Sodas You Need To Know About And Try
- Is Ginger Ale Vegan? Everything You Need To Know