If you know about Logan Paul and KSI, you know about Prime Hydration. And if you don’t know who these people are, you might still hear about Prime Hydration based on its merits.
So, what’s in Prime Hydration? Prime Hydration is a beverage that contains plenty of electrolytes, antioxidants, and vitamins, with zero sugar and only 10 calories. However, its sweetener choice and flavor agents have recently come under scrutiny.
In this article, we will explore whether there is anything to worry about in Prime Hydration’s ingredients and how to consume the electrolyte-rich beverage safely. But first, let’s examine its ingredients and their corresponding benefits and side effects.
Prime Hydration Drink Ingredients
| Contents | Relevant benefit(s) | Relevant side effect(s) |
| Coconut Water (10%) | Supplies potassium (an electrolyte) without packing too many calories. Has a hydrating effect | If consumed in significant quantity, it can increase the potassium content in your body, leading to kidney problems. |
| Sugar-free sweetener (acesulfame potassium) | Sweetens the beverage without adding too many calories. | There is ongoing medical debate about whether this sweetener causes cancer or not. As of now, more evidence is on the side of acesulfame potassium not being a carcinogen. |
| BCAA Blend (250 m) L-Leucine L-IsoleucineL-Valine | L-Leucine helps muscle growth and recovery after working out. L-Isoleucine helps regulate blood sugar L-Valine also helps aid in muscle growth and recovery. | Overdosing on BCAAs can cause loss of coordination and may lead to diarrhea and upset stomach in some consumers. |
| Antioxidants | They improve cardiac (heart) health, which can reduce the risk of many diseases. Antioxidants can also help battle some cancers. | Consuming too many antioxidants can increase the risks of various cancers. |
| Vitamin B | Improves metabolic functions | If one overdoses on Vitamin B, they can have itchy skin and might experience restlessness. |
| Electrolytes (825 mg) | They act like sponges and retain water in the body | Electrolytes can cause an upset stomach upon mild overconsumption. They can also cause high or low blood pressure, sweating, and mood swings upon significant overconsumption. |
| Natural Flavors | Flavoring agents improve the taste of the beverage | This term means Prime Hydration doesn’t have to disclose what ingredients it adds for flavoring, including chemicals (if any). |
| Citric Acid | Reduces the chances of acidic reflux. Also contributes to the taste of the drink. | Overdosing can result in confusion and lightheadedness alongside overall weakness. |
| Vitamin E and A | Improve vision and reproduction (skin cells and more), alongside blood and brain health. | If you overdose on these vitamins, you can experience fatigue, intestinal cramps, nausea, headaches, and blurred vision. |
| Trimagnesium Citrate | Supplies the body with vital magnesium | Weakness, lethargy, and abdominal cramping are some of the side effects of getting too much Trimagnesium Citrate. |
| Vegetable juice (colorant) | Makes the drink look appealing | Not Applicable |
| Filtered water | Helps dissolve all the ingredients and hydrates the consumer | Not Applicable |
Highly Recommended Read:
Lately, BCAAs seem to be on every label as a selling point, but are they essential for the body? You’re in luck because we wrote an excellent resource demystifying BCAAs. When you’re done reading this article, check out our article on What Are BCAAs, & Are They Worth the Hype? (8-minute read).
Analysis of Prime Hydration Side Effects
Don’t get too alarmed upon viewing the table above. Prime Hydration does have side effects, but not every effect applies. For instance, you won’t overdose on coconut water.
You need to be watchful of the flavor content and the artificial sweetener.
Prime Hydration is sweetened with a synthetic calorie-free sugar substitute called Ace-K. Also known as acesulfame potassium, which has gained notoriety as a possible carcinogen. Currently, it hasn’t been restricted by the FDA, but not nearly enough research exists.
The term “natural flavors” in the beverage ingredients also raises some red flags because the manufacturer doesn’t have to disclose the chemicals in the flavors and their specific quantities.
The most commonly reported side effects of Prime Hydration are caused by overconsumption:
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Upset stomach
That’s what you’re the most likely to experience if you drink too much Prime Hydration (typically over 2 bottles).
Is Prime or Gatorade a Better Hydration Drink?
Prime is a better hydration drink as it has a similar quantity of electrolytes without the added sugar (and calories).
While prime’s sugar-free sweetener has caught some slack, the medical consensus on the harmful effects of sugar is stronger than one regarding Prime’s Ace-K.
Does Prime Hydration Have Artificial Sweeteners?
Prime Hydration has Ace-K, an artificial sweetener that carries practically 0 calories.
It has been rumored to cause cancer, but the evidence has pointed to the contrary, at least in humans. That’s why the sweetener in Prime Hydration is also found in most sugar-free bake mixes and cakes.
Hydration Drinks vs. Energy Drinks
Hydration Drinks are meant to help replace your body’s water content, while energy drinks are formulated to give you an instant energy boost.
Hydration drinks can help you feel more energetic, but energy drinks rarely hydrate you.
How They Differ in Terms of Ingredients
Hydration beverages primarily contain and supply electrolytes to your body. Energy drinks usually give you a dose of caffeine, sugar, and (usually) a blend of other stimulants.
Sugar gives you energy, and caffeine lights a match under it to make the energy boost instant and more potent. This effect can lead to a combined crash afterward. The caffeine crash and the sugar crash affect the user simultaneously. If you remain dehydrated because of caffeine, you can feel tired and weak.
Electrolytes aren’t harmless either.
You have less water available in your bloodstream if you overdose on electrolytes. This results in cramping, weakness, and even an alteration in consciousness.
Fortunately, the safe limit for hydration drinks and energy drinks has already been set, so you don’t need to worry about accidentally overdosing.
Alteratives to Prime Hydration
Whether it is the sweetener in Prime Hydration or the anonymity of the beverage’s flavoring agents that makes you wary of the electrolyte-rich beverage, you can always rely on Prime Hydration alternatives listed below:
- Coconut Water – This is a kid-friendly option as electrolyte-rich drinks shouldn’t be given to kids without a doctor’s advice.
- Gatorade – If you find sugar to be a better alternative than Prime’s Ace-K, you can opt for Gatorade as it contains sugar. And if you want sugar-free Gatorade, you can get yourself some Gatorade Zero.
- BioSteel Hydration – If you’re going to load up on electrolytes without the added junk, including sugar, the BioSteel Hydration is a better beverage for you as it contains more electrolytes than Prime Hydration and stevia (natural) sweetener. It also has fewer calories than Prime Hydration.
Final Thoughts
Prime Hydration is better for you than Gatorade and many sports drinks on the market today. But that doesn’t mean you can drink as many as you like…
You’re in the clear as long as you cap your Prime intake to 2 bottles a day!
