In April of 2018, PepsiCo launched its sugar-free version of Gatorade. It addresses consumer concerns on sugar, meets a very unmet need for the lapsed Gatorade user that doesn’t like the calories but want the Gatorade brand.
This line of product by Gatorade was originally developed for athletes that prefer a low-sugar, low-calorie alternative to an electrolyte drink.
However, it is famous and being consumed by different consumers. Gatorade Zero has no sugar with the same electrolytes as Gatorade Thirst Quencher, the original line.
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
The Gatorade Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher has 4 flavors: glacier cherry, glacier freeze, lemon-lime, and orange.
Nutrition information of a single-serving bottle of 20 Fl Oz (591mL):
| Calories | 5-10 |
| Fat | 0g |
| Carbs | 1g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Potassium | 75mg |
| Sodium | 270mg |
The ingredients declared on the packaging are water, citric acid, sodium citrate, salt, monopotassium phosphate, gum arabic, natural flavor, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, glycerol ester of rosin and food colors.
What Are The Sweeteners Used?
Gatorade zero uses sucralose and acesulfame potassium are both artificial sweeteners. Though sucralose has a high glycemic index, which ranges from 0-80.
Glycemic index (GI) is how quickly a food can raise your blood sugar. The baseline is glucose which has a glycemic index of 100.
For a list of keto-friendly sweetener, see this page!
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential for basic life functions and maintenance of electrical neutrality in cells, generation, and conduction of action potentials in the nerves and muscles.
These electrolytes can have imbalance that disrupts the normal bodily functions and can even lead to even life-threatening complications (1).
Gatorade zero also contains gum arabic, a natural thickener. To give the beverage a body to the palate, gum arabic is added, a natural plant polysaccharide.
Non-caloric sweeteners added are Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose. Both of these are declared by the US FDA as safe for use in humans.
Package Flavors and Sizes
Gatorade Zero offers five different flavors. These include Orange, Glacier Cherry, Lemon Lime, Glacier Freeze and Berry. Sizes include 12 fl oz (serving size), 16.9 fl oz, 28 fl oz and 32 fl oz.
Why Do People Drink Gatorade Zero?
Gatorade Zero boasts its electrolyte replenishment that cannot be supplemented by plain water. Most especially for individuals who are highly physically active. But how essential are electrolytes to the body?
To facilitate important bodily functions, electrolytes are distributed through the fluid in the body and utilized as electrical energy, since these are charged ions (2).
These are important to control (3):
- Water balance
- Regulate blood pressure
- Aids in muscle contraction – including the heart
- Maintain correct body pH
Common electrolytes include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and chloride. Gatorade Zero contains potassium and sodium. Concentrations vary with every electrolyte water available in the market.
This contains no sugar and 2 grams of carbs. No sugar spike in Gatorade Zero, such that it contains alternative sweeteners: acesulfame potassium and sucralose which are known to have little to no effects on the blood sugar.
When Should Gatorade Zero Be Consumed?
Anytime of the day, although this is great with any physical activity such that it helps replenish electrolytes that are lost.
Generally after an hour of activity, exercising outdoors or a heavy sweater, sports drinks may be consumed (4).
It can also be taken under the signs of dehydration such as, feeling dizzy, fatigued, headaches and rapid heartbeat. These are signals that the body is lacking fluid and electrolytes (5).
Is Gatorade Zero Keto Friendly?
Gatorade zero contains very low calories, however it contains the artificial sweeteners acesulfame potassium and sucralose which strict-ketogenic dieters tend to avoid.
Because of this, Gatorade zero is okay for low-carb diet, and ‘dirty-keto’ but not for strict-keto, even though it’s sugar-free and might not kick you out of ketosis.
Where to Buy
Gatorade Zero can be bought on Amazon.com, Walmart and in Gatorade’s online store.
Conclusion
Gatorade Zero contains 5 grams of carbs per serving which is okay for low-carb dieters. However since it contains artificial sweetener, it would be avoided by strict-keto dieters.
Up Next: Can You Drink Sparkling Ice Flavored Water on Keto Diet?
