

Is Powerade Zero Bad For You?



Short answer

Powerade Zero is bad for you. It can cause many negative health effects and should be replaced with a healthier drink alternative whenever possible.



Long answer

Powerade Zero is a variation of the popular sports drink brand Powerade. It is primarily designed to hydrate individuals who participate in strenuous athletic activities.

Many people who are watching their weight or concerned about their health choose to drink Powerade Zero because it includes zero sugar and zero calories. While it is true that Powerade Zero contains no sugar or calories, it is comprised of a variety of other chemically-altered ingredients that can actually be more harmful to your health than natural sugar.

For example, instead of sugar, Powerade Zero contains artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame. After these chemical sweeteners are consumed, the body believes that they are real sugars that need to be digested, so it naturally produces insulin. However, because the chemical sweeteners are artificial, the insulin has no sugar to digest and is forced to consume healthy chemicals that are naturally produced by your body instead. Over time, the consumption of artificial sweeteners such as those in Powerade Zero can cause obesity, heart disease, liver problems, and Type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, varying flavors of Powerade Zero contain different harmful artificial food dyes, including Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Excessive consumption of these dyes has been known to cause significant damage to the central nervous system, as well as behavioral issues.

All in all, there are many more health dangers involved in Powerade Zero than what first meets the eye. It is important not to let products trick you into believing they are healthy simply because they boast zero sugar and zero calories. The truth is, as with Powerade Zero, there are probably many harmful ingredients hiding beneath the surface.

Possible short-term side effects

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • nausea

Possible long-term side effects

  • heart disease
  • liver problems
  • type 2 diabetes
  • central nervous system damage
  • behavioral issues
  • cancer
  • weight gain
  • tooth decay

Ingredients to be aware of


  • restores electrolyte balance
  • provides hydration
  • zero calorie
  • zero sugar

Healthy Powerade alternatives (what is this?)

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Written by Shaylie F | 12-29-2015

Written by Shaylie F
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