If you’re a fitness enthusiast, enjoy working out, or generally live a high-energy life, you know how important hydration is. There are different sports drinks you can go for, but for today, we’re looking at Propel Water to see just how well it works for dehydration.
Propel Water is good for dehydration as it replaces water lost through sweating. It also replaces electrolytes, especially potassium. Propel Water is one of the few that actively works to replace what you lose from sweating.
This article will address the nutritional benefits of Propel Water, how good it is for dehydration, and how it compares to regular tap water. Keep reading to learn more about Propel Water and how well it works for dehydration.
How Good Is Propel Water for Dehydration?
Propel Water is very good at preventing dehydration because of its electrolyte content. Although dehydration is primarily water loss, much of the risk comes from electrolyte reduction in the body. Consequently, Propel Water’s high electrolyte content is a good fix.
Unlike regular tap water that doesn’t contain potassium and has just a little sodium, Propel Water is a much better hydration drink since it not only restores water to the body but also raises your electrolyte levels.
If you’re the kind of person who exercises for long periods or frequently engages in high-energy activities, then this drink suits you best. Otherwise, those who do low to moderate-energy activities can drink regular tap water, which is enough to keep them well hydrated.
Even if you’re generally sedentary, Propel Water is still a good alternative to tap water as an electrolyte supplement.
What Is Propel Water?
Propel Water is bottled water enhanced with electrolytes and vitamins. Although it’s often advertised as a rehydration sports drink, it’s still a wonderful option for daily consumption.
You can drink Propel Water water anytime, but it’s particularly suited to people living a very active lifestyle. If you regularly work out or your job requires manual labor, it’s a very good option for rehydration on the go.
Propel water is a product of Gatorade, which also produces the eponymous sports drink they’re mainly known for. While they’re produced by the same company, they are very different drinks.
Is Propel Water Good for Dehydration?
The main differences between Propel Water and Gatorade are the vitamins and calorie content.
The fewer calories in Propel Water result from its reduced sugar content. Each bottle of Gatorade contains 50 calories and 36 grams (1.27 oz) of sugar, which is a far cry from Propel Water’s 10 calories and 2 grams (0.07 oz) of sugar.
So, while Propel Water won’t satisfy your sweet tooth, which is expected since it’s essentially water with added electrolytes, it’s a significantly healthier option. However, it does contain artificial sweeteners.
This is something to consider for diabetics as it will affect their blood sugar levels.
Propel Water vs. Regular Tap Water
Is Propel better than regular water?
If you’ve wondered about this at one point or another, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people ask the same question, so allow me to clear a few things up for you.
Propel is water enhanced with electrolytes, vitamins, and artificial sweeteners. This definition is important because many people forget that Propel Water and other similar products are “water” first and foremost.
As a result, you can replace much of your daily water intake with Propel Water.
However, it’s still important to note that while electrolyte water is a good supplement, you should keep your consumption in check. While it’s good to supplement your body with electrolytes, especially if you’re active, there should be some moderation.
A 20-oz glass of tap water contains only 1.20 mg of sodium and no potassium on average. On the other hand, 20 oz of Propel Water contains 160 mg of sodium and 40 mg of potassium.
The extra electrolytes in Propel make it a better hydration option after a long workout session since it will replace the lost potassium.
Some other ingredients in Propel that aren’t in tap water include vitamins B, C, & E which can all greatly benefit the body.
While electrolyte supplementation is good, overdoing can cause significant problems like cramps, fatigue, and arrhythmias.
Nutritional Benefits of Propel water
Although the main purpose of Propel Water is to rehydrate, the drink contains other ingredients that give it some nutritional benefits.
Here is the nutritional content found in 1 bottle of Propel, i.e., 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) or 507 g:
| Nutrients | Amount | % Daily Value* |
| Calories | 25 | |
| Sodium | 167 mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5.8 g | 2% |
| Calcium | 5.1 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 81 mg | 2% |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 20.762 mg | 130% |
| Vitamin B6 | 2.819 mg | 166% |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 44.6 mg | 50% |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 8.47 mg | 56% |
| Carbohydrate | 5.78 g | 2% |
| Water | 500.81 g |
* % Daily Value refers to how much the nutrient in that serving contributes to a person’s daily diet total. Nutritionists use 2,000 calories/ day as the standard requirement.
16.9 fl oz (500ml) of Propel Water contains 0 g of proteins, 0 g of fat, and 5.8 g of carbohydrates. Looking at the daily value percentage of each ingredient, you can see that Propel offers the full amount of recommended daily value of Vitamins B3 and B6.
Let’s take a closer look at the contents of Propel Water and see how they benefit the body.
Electrolytes Regulate Your Body
Propel is known as an electrolyte drink because it’s enhanced with electrolytes, which are minerals that carry an electric charge and are found in body tissues and fluids such as blood, urine, and sweat.
A few examples of electrolytes are potassium, magnesium, chloride, sodium, calcium, and phosphates.
The functions of electrolytes in your body include:
- Balancing the body pH levels, i.e., the acidity and alkalinity levels.
- Balancing water content in the body.
- Ensuring normal functioning of muscles, nerves, and the brain.
- Moving cells’ waste out of the cells while moving nutrients into the cells.
We get most of our electrolytes from foods or drinks. However, Propel Water takes this a step further than regular tap water by actively replenishing our electrolyte reserves. The electrolyte levels in your body can oscillate depending on your body’s water content and physical activity.
Since your electrolytes are naturally water soluble, they leave your body much faster when you sweat. Propel Water is a good option when you need a quick pick-me-up after a good workout session.
It’s also an option to consider if you’ve been throwing up a lot or have diarrhea, as these also reduce your body’s electrolyte levels.
Vitamin C Is Good for Tissue Growth and Repair
A bottle of Propel Water contains 44.6 mg of vitamin C, which is 50% of the required daily intake of vitamin C making it a very good source of it. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that’s found in foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Also known as ascorbic acid, it’s important for the growth and repair of body tissue.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant because it prevents problems in the body caused by free radicals. This is a crucial function of vitamin C since free radicals are produced by the body daily during food breakdown, when you inhale tobacco smoke, or are exposed to UV (ultra-violet) rays.
Vitamin B Ensures Overall Good Health
The B vitamins in Propel Water are B3 and B6, and a 500 ml bottle of Propel contains 20.762 mg of vitamin B3 and 2.819 mg of vitamin B6. Vitamin B is one of the most important nutrients involved in metabolism which is the process that converts food to energy.
Another important function of the B vitamins is to maintain the health of different body tissues such as the brain and skin cells. They also help in the formation of new blood cells.
It’s no doubt that the vitamin B complex is essential in the proper functioning of our bodies. But apart from these functions, each B vitamin also serves its unique role.
The roles of vitamin B3 in the body include:
- Formation and repair of DNA.
- Producing energy at the cell level.
The roles of vitamin B6 in the body include:
- Helps in brain development.
- Participates in the formation of particular hormones in the body like melatonin and serotonin.
- Helps to break down amino acids to form energy.
Vitamin E Boosts Immunity
A 500ml bottle of Propel Water contains 8.47 mg of vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble vitamin, and like vitamin C, it acts as an antioxidant in the body, helping to get rid of free radicals which destroy cells.
Vitamin E also builds the body’s immune system, thus preventing several diseases. When taken as a supplement, vitamin E can greatly improve skin health, lung function, and enhance cognitive health.
Final Words
Propel Water is a great drink that helps prevent dehydration, which is better than regular tap water after a long or intense workout.
Propel Water is also considered a healthier choice for hydration than others in the market because it doesn’t contain sugar and calories. However, it still contains artificial sweeteners so consider if this might be an issue for you.
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