Find Prime Hydration Too Sweet? Here’s Why

When it comes to sports drinks, one particular brand stands out from the crowd – Prime Hydration. What makes this brand so special?

Is it the taste or is it just hype? One complaint about the drink that comes up repeatedly in forums and social media platforms is why the drink is so sweet. After some extended research, I discovered how the brand achieves its sweet taste that some people may not enjoy.

Key Takeaways:

Prime Hydration contains acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) and sucralose (Splenda). Acesulfame potassium is about 600 times sweeter than regular sugar and is virtually calorie-free. Sucralose has a sweetness level similar to table sugar but without calories. Prime Hydration uses both of these sweeteners to create its signature taste.

You might wonder if artificial sweeteners are a healthy choice and whether Prime Hydration is safe. In this article, we’ll look in-depth at Prime Hydration and how it compares to traditional sugary sports drinks. Let’s jump right in to find out whether Logan Paul’s and KSI’s dream drink is as good as they say!

Does Prime Contain Sugar?

When choosing a sports drink, one of the first questions people ask is whether the drink contains sugar. After all, it defeats the purpose of drinking a sports drink if it has as many calories and sugar as a soda.

Prime uses a formula that contains zero added sugar. Instead of sugar, two artificial sweeteners are added to Prime – acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Sucralose contains a few more calories than acesulfame potassium but still contains almost zero added sugar.

Why Is There Only 2 Grams Of Sugar Listed?

A quick look at the Prime Hydration label reveals 2 grams of sugar, and if you’re a health-conscious consumer, you might need clarification. After all, we said earlier that Prime contains no added sugar.  So why the discrepancy?

The answer is simple: Prime Hydration only contains naturally occurring sugars that are found in small amounts in its other ingredients. One of the ingredients in Prime Hydration is coconut water (around 10%).

Coconut water naturally contains small amounts of sugar, which is why it lists 2 grams on the label. In other words, you don’t need to worry about your intake of added sugars when drinking Prime Hydration – all of its sugar is naturally occurring and comes from plant-based sources.

This coconut sugar is naturally occurring, so it won’t make you feel bloated or sluggish like added sugars do. So while two grams may sound like a lot, it’s really only a very small amount of coconut water that gives Prime Hydration its sweetness – without the need for added sugar!

If you want to know more about the ingredient list of Prime Hydration, you can check out our detailed breakdown right here.

Did you know: Prime Hydration also uses natural flavoring along with coconut water to give it its taste? You can get Prime in 7 flavors – Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Lemon Lime, Grape, Orange, Ice Pop, and Meta Moon!

Are Artificial Sweeteners Like Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose Healthy?

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace – K)

Acesulfame Potassium, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace-K, is a calorie-free artificial sweetener that is commonly used in food and drinks as a sugar substitute. It is approved for use in many countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Australia.

While Acesulfame Potassium is generally considered safe for consumption in moderate amounts, there are some concerns about its potential health effects. Some studies have suggested that it may be associated with increased cancer risk and negative effects on the metabolic system, although the evidence is not conclusive.

Additionally, some people may experience adverse effects from consuming Acesulfame Potassium, such as headaches, dizziness, and an upset stomach.

As with any food or additive, it’s important to consume Acesulfame Potassium in moderation and be mindful of your overall diet and health. If you have any concerns or medical conditions, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Sucralose

Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener added to Prime Hydration Sports Drink for taste.  It is a “non-nutritive” sweetener, meaning it has no calories or impact on blood sugar levels.

Sucralose has however been associated with some potential health risks. In recent years, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the use of sucralose in sports drinks and other beverages.  Despite the concern, it has FDA approval and numerous studies have concluded that it’s safe for human consumption.

The main takeaway is that more research needs to be done on the safety of sucralose and its effects on human health. While it’s probably okay to enjoy sports drinks with sucralose in moderation, it’s important to balance your sweetener intake with a healthy lifestyle.

If you have any concerns about the safety of sucralose, it’s best to consult your doctor or nutritionist for advice.

Sweetener	Type	Number of times sweeter than regular sugar	Aftertaste	Brand Names
Sucralose	Artificial	600	No aftertaste	Splenda
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace – K)	Artificial	200	Bitter	Sunett, Sweet One
Saccharin	Artificial	200-700	Bitter	Sweet and Low, Sweet Twin
Aspartame	Artificial	180-200	No aftertaste	Nutrasweet, Equal
Erythritol	Natural	300	Cool, minty aftertaste	Swerve
Xylitol	Natural	1	No aftertaste	Xlear

Fun Fact: Did you know that the first artificial sweetener was invented over 100 years ago? Saccharin was discovered by accident in 1879 by Constantin Fahlberg, a German chemist, and it has been used as a sugar substitute ever since.

Sucralose vs. Aspartame: Which is Better For You?

Sucralose and aspartame are both non-nutritive sweeteners, commonly used as alternatives to sugar in a wide range of food and beverage products.

Sucralose is made by replacing three hydrogen-oxygen groups on a sugar molecule with chlorine atoms, which makes it about 600 times sweeter than sugar.

Aspartame, on the other hand, is made by combining two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) with a small amount of methanol and it is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.

Although aspartame is also deemed safe for human consumption by the FDA, people with kidney issues or a rare genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU) can experience health issues.

See the table below to see how sucralose compares to other popular sugar substitutes:

Difference Between Natural Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners

If you look at the nutrition label on your favorite beverage, you’ll notice that it’ll have either natural sugar or artificial sweeteners listed. While both of these ingredients can add a sugary flavor to your liquid refreshment, they’re quite different.

• Natural sugar, or sucrose, is derived from plants like sugar cane and beets. It is made up of two molecules: glucose and fructose. Glucose provides energy to your body while fructose adds flavor to your food.

• On the other hand, artificial sweeteners are usually made in a lab instead of from a plant. They’re much sweeter than natural sugar, so you can use much less to get the same sweetness as sucrose. Artificial sweeteners are also not metabolized by your body, meaning they don’t provide calories or energy like other natural sweeteners.

Another difference between natural sugar and artificial sweeteners is that most artificial sweeteners are much more resistant to heat than sucrose. This means that they can be used to sweeten baked goods much more easily, as the heat won’t break down the artificial sweetener like it would with natural sugar. This makes them great for baking and cooking applications.

Many sports drinks contain artificial sweeteners as they tend to have a much longer shelf life than natural sugars and can provide the sweetness desired without adding undesirable calories.

Prime vs. Other Sports Drinks

We’ve talked quite a bit about Prime Hydration and what it’s made up of. However, there are also other sports drinks in the market such as Gatorade and Powerade. Look at the table below to see how they compare against each other.

	Nutrition Info (Per bottle, 20oz)
	Prime Hydration	Gatorade	Powerade	Water
Calories	20	125	125	0
Sodium	10mg	275mg	250mg	0
Potassium	700mg	75mg	63mg	0
Total Carbohydrates	6g	35g	35g	0
Sugars	2g	35g	35g	0

From the above, it’s clear that Prime Hydration is a great choice for those looking for a healthier sports drink.

If you want more info on what makes Prime Hydration special compared to other sports drinks like Gatorade, check out this article we wrote.

You would have noticed that we’ve also included water in our table above. Although water has 0 calories and is essential for keeping us hydrated, it does not have any electrolytes which are essential for maintaining optimal performance during physical activities. This is where sports drinks like Prime Hydration come in – they offer the best of both worlds – electrolytes, and hydration!

Make sure you read our article on Prime Hydration vs. Water to get a better understanding.

Final Thoughts

Acesulfame potassium and sucralose provide a palatable balance of sweetness with minimal calories. Acesulfame potassium is a low-calorie, high-intensity sweetener that delivers a quick burst of intense sweetness that dissipates quickly. On the other hand, sucralose has a subtle sweetness that lingers on the palate.

For most people, water is sufficient for hydration during regular physical activity. Sports drinks may be beneficial for endurance athletes or those participating in intense or prolonged exercise, as they can provide electrolytes and carbohydrates to help maintain hydration and energy levels.

However, for the average person, sports drinks can be high in added sugars and calories, and water is a better choice for staying hydrated. It is always best to consult a doctor or a sports nutritionist for personalized advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Prime Hydration: