Did you know that your body starts to lose function when you lose 2% of your weight in water loss? It’s true – dehydration can affect your ability to focus, coordinate and act in a situation. Besides water, manufacturers have come up with other health solutions like sports drinks. In this article, we compare and contrast G FUEL vs. Gatorade.
The main difference between G FUEL and Gatorade is caffeine and sugar: G FUEL is sugar-free and contains caffeine. Gatorade products have traditionally been caffeine-free and included sugar, though they now produce sugar-free and caffeinated products. Because of the caffeine, G FUEL is generally considered an energy drink, while Gatorade is one of the most famous traditional sports drinks.
As an athlete, you probably already have a nutrition or health plan to help you stay fit. But what else can you do to gain that extra edge? That is where sports and energy drinks come in. In this case, we will look at all the essential information regarding Gatorade vs. G FUEL so you can choose which to bring to your next game.
Is G FUEL or Gatorade Healthier?
The best way to determine if G FUEL or Gatorade is healthier is by comparing the ingredients in both drinks:
| G FUEL Ingredients | Gatorade Ingredients |
| Taurine | Water |
| L-citrulline Malate | Sugar |
| Caffeine(140mg) | Dextrose |
| Glucuronolactone | Citric Acid |
| N-acetyl-l-carnitine Hci | Sodium |
| L-tryosine | Sodium Citrate |
| N-acetyy -l-tyrosine | Monopotassium Phosphate |
| Adenosine-5 Triphosphate Disodium Salt (ATP) | Modified Food Starch |
| Pomegranate Fruit Extract | Natural Flavor |
| Grape Seed Powder | Red 40 |
| Fruit Powders (different flavors) | Glycerol Ester of Rosin |
| Maltodextrin | Caramel Color |
| Malic Acid | |
| Silicon Dioxide | |
| Acesulfame Potassium | |
| Sucralose | |
| Natural and Artificial Flavors | |
| Fd&Red #40 |
It is important to note that G FUEL ingredients are divided into four categories, namely:
- Energy Complex (1.79g)
- Focus Complex (1001mg)
- Antioxidant Complex (26mg) and
- Other ingredients
In my recent article “Can G Fuel Break My Fast” I do a deep dive into the list of ingredients in G FUEL explaining the effects of each.
Looking at the above table of ingredients for each product, G FUEL seems to be the healthier option because it has more nutrients. Taurine, caffeine, sweeteners, and L-Citrulline Malate are nutritional components that also make the drink a preferable option for vegans.
How does your body do with caffeine?
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, decaf Gatorade products are healthier for you.
And we all know the downsides of prolonged sugar intake (teeth damage, diabetes, weight gain, liver damage, inflammation, etc.).
The old adage applies here: “all things in moderation”, which can be challenging to remember when you’re gaming. Maybe the healthiest choice is a combination of both? Go with G FUEL to get your energy up and Gatorade to replenish your electrolytes…and then take a break!
Now let’s compare the G FUEL vs. Gatorade nutritional value labels:
| Nutritional Value | GFUEL Can (16 fl.oz) | GFUEL Powder (7g serving) | Gatorade Bottle (20 fl.oz) |
| Calories | 0 cal | 25cal | 140cal |
| Carbohydrates (sugars) | 0g | 0g | 36mg |
| Sodium | 70mg | 79mg | 270mg |
| Caffeine | 300mg | 150mg | 0g |
| Vitamin B3 | 4mg | 45mg | 0g |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4mg | 10mg | 0g |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.6 ug | 425ug | 0g |
| Vitamin C | 45mg | 250mg | 0g |
| Potassium | 0g | 0g | 75mg |
| Vitamin E | 0 | 151U | 0 |
From the above table, you can see that G FUEL has more vitamins than Gatorade. This makes the drink a better option, especially if you follow a strict diet. Gatorade has high portions of sugar, sodium, and potassium, making you lose track of your health if you take it without moderation.
If you’re enjoying the article so far here’s another article where I discuss if drinking G FUEL will make you gain weight.
G Fuel label (7g serving)
Gatorade label (20 fl.oz)
Portion and Ingredients may vary*
Is G FUEL or Gatorade Better when Gaming?
Gatorade and G FUEL are popular sports/energy drinks among gamers and athletes. It’s even widely rumored that the G in G FUEL stands for “Gamer” or “Gaming”. The primary function of these two drinks is to hydrate and energize athletes to increase performance during sports.
Both drinks are good when gaming, but it depends on the sport and what your body needs while performing said sport. Two main things happen when gaming. First, you will sweat, thus losing electrolytes, and use a lot of energy.
Let us use the example of working out. After an hour or so, you will feel weak and tired because your body has lost water, electrolytes, and energy. The sodium and calories in Gatorade will help you retain fluids and replenish electrolytes and energy during sport. Additionally, Gatorade has a good amount of carbohydrates which are the primary energy source for the human body.
Gamers who prefer G FUEL are also right to do so because it is considered a healthier drink. It contains antioxidants, and you will not go through a sugar crush after a few hours of sport. However, there is a catch with G FUEL as it takes about 15 minutes before it kicks in.
This makes it a good option for low-energy sports where you don’t need an immediate boost.
Oh, and if you’re still on the fence…G FUEL is the official drink of esports®.
Which do People Prefer by Taste?
People generally prefer G FUEL when it comes to taste, but some find it too sweet for their liking. The best thing about G FUEL is that it comes in various fruit flavors, so it is a matter of preference. Another thing that makes G FUEL sweeter is its artificial sweeteners which can be 700 times sweeter than regular sugar.
Most people find Gatorade salty (that’s the electrolytes talking), but it contains natural sugars that faster enter your bloodstream.
G FUEL Vs. Gatorade Flavors
G FUEL started with three flavors: Blue Ice, Fruit Punch, and Lemon Lime.
Today’s lineup looks radically different, as they ditched the run-of-the-mill flavors for more modern and marketing-friendly names like:
- Hype Sauce (raspberry lemonade)
- Sour Blue Chug Rug (blue raspberry)
- FaZeberry (pomegranates + strawberries + blueberries)
Gatorade is not far behind with the flavors either. As of writing this, their website lists around 20 flavors for their main thirst quencher line, with Cool Blue Gatorade being the most popular flavor in the United States. Other Gatorade flavors include Riptide Rush, grape, glacier cherry, orange, fruit punch, and many more.
Gatorade has been around since 1965, so consumers have seen discontinued flavors, new flavors, and even used them as drink mixers (think Mountain Dew + blue Gatorade to make homemade Mountain Dew Baja Blast).
List of G Fuel and Gatorade Flavors
| G Fuel | Gatorade |
| Sour Blue Chug Rug | Glacier Cherry G2 Gatorade |
| HYPE SAUCE | Blue Cherry Gatorade Fierce |
| FaZeberry | Fruit Brunch G2 Gatorade |
| Tropical Rain | Raspberry Lemonade G2 Gatorade |
| Ragin’ Gummy Fish | Glacier Cherry Gatorade Frost |
| Bahama Mama | Blackberry Wave Gatorade Flow |
| Snow Cone | Icy Charge Gatorade Frost |
| Strawberry Banana | Cool Blue Gatorade |
| Watermelon | Green Apple Gatorade Fierce |
| Blue Ice | Strawberry Lemonade Gatorade |
| Sonic’s Peach Rings | G Zero Glacier Freeze Gatorade |
| Strawberry Shortcake | G Zero Cool Blue Gatorade |
| Winter White | Fruit Punch Gatorade |
| Rainbow Sherbet | Orange Gatorade |
| Battle Juice | Lemon-Lime Gatorade |
| Shiny Splash | Fruit Punch |
| Sour FaZeberry | Glacier Freeze Gatorade |
| Wumpa Fruit | Riptide Rush Gatorade |
| Star Fruit | Grape Gatorade |
| Bubble Gum | Zero Glacier Freeze Thirst Quencher |
Clearing up 3 Main Misconceptions About G FUEL
Because Gatorade is one of the oldest and most famous sports drinks in the world, most people assume that G FUEL is made by the same company and
1. Does G FUEL Contain Lead?
The most common misconception about G FUEL is that it contains lead. The drink has a warning label that says the product can expose you to harmful chemicals, including lead. This warning label is put on the product because it is required by California Prop 65 regional law.
According to the CEO of G FUEL, the drink does not contain harmful lead levels. The FDA limit for daily exposure to lead is 75 micrograms for adults and six micrograms for kids. G FUEL contains much lower lead than that making it safe for consumption for both children and adults.
2. Is G FUEL a Product of Gatorade?
G FUEL is a product of Gamma Labs created in 2004. Therefore, it is not a product of Gatorade. Additionally, Gatorade is not a company but a product created by Pepsico in 1965. Both companies have different goals for their drink, and so far, it all seems to be working out well.
3. Does G FUEL Taste Like Gatorade?
According to customer reviews, some G FUEL flavors taste similar to Gatorade flavors. For example, G FUEL blue ice flavor and blue or glacier freeze Gatorade have a similar taste. Consumers find both drinks to have the right amount of sugar and better taste compared to the others.
As you know, taste is a matter of personal preference, so feel free to pick among all the exciting flavors available in the market for both drinks.
Final Thoughts
I hope this resource might help you a lot in knowing about the difference between G Fuel and Gatorade. I have highlighted the main difference between these two energy drinks and have provided a table that represents the presence of different ingredients in these energy drinks. Moreover, I have listed some of the best flavors of these energy drinks that you can try.
If you find this resource helpful then share it with your loved ones so that they can also get some benefits from it. Got some more questions about G Fuel and Gatorade? Don’t hesitate and ask them in the comment section. I would love to hear your opinion!
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