You're thirsty after a long workout. You're looking to refuel. You want something that isn't too sugary and has the right balance of electrolytes to help you rehydrate. You want something that will sustain your energy.
Powerade vs. Gatorade: what's better at refueling your body after a workout? What's healthier for you?
These are important questions if you're an athlete. Even if you enjoy sports drinks, you may wonder what the better option is, especially if you're buying it for your kids. The difference will actually surprise you. While neither has any fats or proteins, they do have differences when it comes to calories, overall nutrition, and helping you replace lost electrolytes.
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In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the difference between Powerade and Gatorade. You'll learn the nutrition differences and what's ultimately better for your health and keeping you hydrated.
What Are the Core Differences Between Powerade and Gatorade?
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Powerade was initially released in 1988. One of the more exciting things about Powerade is that Coca-Cola released it. Eventually, Powerade became popular among Olympians and athletes.
Gatorade precedes Powerade by about twenty years. Gatorade initially came out in 1965. It eventually became popularized when it became the official sports drink of the NFL in the 1970s. The history of Powerade and Gatorade shows how far back each of them goes and what they were originally designed for: athletes and Olympians. Today, they are still designed for that purpose but have also evolved to include a variety of other kinds of drinks.
The Taste Test
When it comes to taste, there's not much difference between Powerade and Gatorade. The marginal difference is in sweetness. Powerade seems slightly sweeter than Gatorade. This could also be because Powerade has high-fructose corn syrup in its ingredients. There are also a variety of flavors that Powerade and Gatorade offer that make them unique.
Here are some of the most notable Powerade flavors:
- Mountain Berry Blast
- Grape
- Lemonade
- White Cherry
- Pineapple
- Kiwi Pineapple
Gatorade also has a variety of flavors:
- Lemon lime
- Orange
- Cool Blue
- Lime
- Lemonade
- Mango
What Athletes Drink Powerade vs. Gatorade
If you follow certain athletes, you may be influenced by how they take of themselves. For instance, Lebron James follows a rigorous diet to stay in shape. You may be influenced by what he eats or drinks if you also want to stay in tip-top shape.
These athletes are also often associated with either Powerade or Gatorade. These are the athletes most commonly associated with Powerade:
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- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
- Alex Morgan
- Damian Lillard
- Ali Kreiger
- Jamal Crawford
These are the athletes that drink Gatorade:
- Lionel Messi
- Dwayne Wade
- Serena Williams
- Zion Williamson
While these athletes don't make the drink better, it does show what they support. You may be influenced by what your favorite athlete drinks.
The Nutritional Differences Between These Sport Drinks
The nutrition of Powerade vs. Gatorade is essential to know how much sugar is in each one and which one is better for your overall health.
One of the advantages of Powerade is that it has magnesium, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12. These vitamins, in particular, help boost immunity. The benefit of niacin is that it helps with your nervous system. It also helps with your digestive system and keeps your skin healthy.
However, it's also important to know that both sports drinks also have different sugars. For instance, Powerade contains sucrose, which is a table sugar. On the other hand, Gatorade contains high fructose corn syrup. Even though they are high in sugar, they also are beneficial in helping restore electrolytes in your body.
Studies have shown how Powerade and Gatorade help restore energy during intense exercises like running or cycling long distances, especially if it's a marathon or triathlon.
Ultimately, Powerade and Gatorade have the sugars and other nutrients to replenish your energy during an intense workout. However, it's also important to know that either sports drink does not replace water. Although sports drinks can help during prolonged exercise or when you're dehydrated or sick, water is one of the healthiest things you can consume.
How to Choose the Right Fuel for Your Next Workout
Choosing between Powerade and Gatorade is a matter of personal preference. There's no clear winner on which is going to improve your performance. However, there are unique taste differences. Additionally, Powerade also has a slight edge in nutritional value. What you decide comes down to what you enjoy more. Powerade and Gatorade offer an opportunity to replenish your electrolytes and give you the energy you want in your next workout.
Main differences in Powerade Vs. Gatorade
Generally speaking, there are very few differences between both Powerade and Gatorade but Powerade will have a sweeter taste and a few more minerals than Gatorade. However, the healthiest option will always be water.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Pavel1964.
- The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
- Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.