Gatorade is a beverage produced for athletes by PepsiCo. It helps restore lost electrolytes and keeps a person hydrated during intense activity such as sports and helps them perform better. Electrolytes are lost during exercise through excessive sweating and are necessary in daily bodily functions such as regulation of the nervous system, muscle function, hydration, balancing blood pH levels, regulating blood pressure, and helping rebuild damaged tissue. Gatorade can help you stay hydrated, but it is best to only drink it when needed. So if you purchased a pack of Gatorade and don’t plan to use it right away, you may be wondering if it goes bad and what is its shelf life. Lets take a look.
Gatorade does go bad if not stored properly. Unopened and stored properly, it will last 9 months with optimal flavor, and well beyond that with slight decline in flavor. If opened and the lid is tightly closed, it should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days. After that, it should be checked for signs of spoilage.
In this article, we will discuss whether Gatorade goes bad over time and what is its shelf life. We will then go over how to properly store Gatorade. And lastly, we will review some alternatives to Gatorade that are great options to keep in mind next time you need a sports drink. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Does Gatorade Go Bad Over Time?
Gatorade does go bad over time if it is not stored properly. For best quality flavor, an unopened bottle of Gatorade should last 9 months. Check the best before date on the bottle to confirm this. Once opened, Gatorade should be stored in the refrigerator tightly closed and be consumed within 3-5 days after opening to avoid spoilage.
How Can You Tell If Gatorade Has Gone Bad?
Gatorade is shelf-stable and can be stored for months or even years. For Gatorade to last a long time unopened, make sure the seal is intact and it is stored properly the entire time in a clean, dry, and cool location. The taste of Gatorade that has been stored away for longer than the recommended 9 months may not be the same as a brand new bottle, but it should still be safe to consume.
Throw away Gatorade if you experience any of the following:
- It smells or tastes sour.
- The color has changed.
- There are clumps in the bottle, a crust on the rim, or mold present.
- If it has been in the refrigerator opened for more than a week.
How To Properly Store Gatorade
- If unopened, Gatorade bottles and powder should be stored in a clean, dry, and cool location.
- Make sure the seal is intact before storing it.
- If opened, Gatorade should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days after opening to avoid spoilage.
- Powdered Gatorade should be kept away from moisture and kept in an airtight container.
Does Gatorade Go Bad After Opening?
Gatorade will start to go bad after opening, and should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-5 days. Look for signs of spoilage if it has been more than a week after opening.
Does Gatorade Need To Be Refrigerated?
Gatorade does not need to be refrigerated if it is unopened. Once it is opened, it needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. It should be consumed within 3-5 days after opening. Gatorade has a best before date on the bottle that indicates when it will be at optimal freshness and flavor. It can be safely consumed past that date if the seal is intact and the product has been stored in a clean, dry, and cool location.
Can You Get Sick From Drinking Old Gatorade?
Since Gatorade is shelf-stable, as long as it is unopened and stored properly, it will have the best quality and flavor for 9 months. It will still be safe to consume beyond that time if the seal is intact and stored properly the entire time, with slight changes in quality and flavor.
It should not make you sick as long as it shows no signs of spoilage. If you know it was not stored properly in a clean, dry, and cool location, and it does show visible signs of spoilage, it very much could make you sick.
Is Gatorade Healthy?
When you exercise, it is important to stay hydrated. Water should be the first and best choice for hydration. When physical activity is longer in duration and more strenuous, that causes our bodies to lose essential electrolytes that maintain nerve, muscle, and brain function. In this case, drinks such as Gatorade have been created to help replenish those lost electrolytes. Examples of electrolytes include calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, potassium, and sodium.
While Gatorade may have been created with the health of athletes in mind, does it really measure up as being a healthy drink?
Obesity and High Blood Pressure
It should be noted that people who exercise less than 60-90 minutes a day may not need to replenish electrolytes with Gatorade to maintain or improve function. However, many people who do consume Gatorade are not as physically active as they should be. A 20-ounce serving of Gatorade contains 36 grams of sugar. Excessive sugar intake has been contributed to obesity, and excess sodium can contribute to high blood pressure over time.
Artificial Sweeteners
Another concerning ingredient in Gatorade is artificial sweetener. Although there is ongoing and inconclusive research on artificial sweeteners, the safety of their consumption is highly controversial.
Artificial Food Dyes
Gatorade also contains artificial food dyes such as Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5. These dyes have been shown to increase the risk of hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children and are likely carcinogenic, meaning they have been linked to cancer.
So what is the bottom line about Gatorade? It is not a very healthy drink, especially if you do not plan to exercise for 1 hour or more a day. Children should not consume Gatorade due to the sugar and artificial food dyes. Water remains the best choice to stay hydrated or opt for healthier alternatives that we will go over next.
Alternatives to Gatorade
Nooma Organic Sport Hydration Drink
Made with organic and real ingredients with no added sugar, Nooma Organic Sport Hydration Drink is an outstanding healthy alternative to Gatorade. It is packed with electrolytes from coconut water and Himalayan pink salt that deliver potassium and sodium. It provides rapid hydration with fast absorption to fight cramps, dizziness, and fatigue.
It is vegan, keto, paleo, gluten-free, non-GMO, and with no added sugars. One 16.9 fluid ounce carton contains 7 grams carbohydrates and 5 grams sugar, which is significantly lower than a bottle of Gatorade that has 21 grams of sugar in a 12 fluid ounce bottle. It has a simple ingredient list with no artificial sweeteners or food coloring. Flavor options include chocolate mint, lemonade, watermelon lime, blueberry peach, tangerine, and mango. They also make on-the-go hydration mixes, energy drinks, and recovery drinks.
Halo Sport Organic Hydration Drink
Another remarkable and healthy alternative to Gatorade is Halo Sport Organic Hydration Drink. They also come in drinks and powders that are formulated with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. All their electrolytes are sourced from sea salt, magnesium, and potassium from the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Each 16-ounce serving contains 10 calories and 2 grams of sugar that comes from organic lemon juice and stevia – a plant based sweetener.
It contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, flavoring, or synthetic coloring. All their products are certified organic, vegan, Kosher, non-GMO, and do not contain dairy, soy, or gluten. Flavor options include lemonade, pink lemonade, peach, black cherry, orange, and berry.
Berri Fit Plant Based Electrolytes Beverage
Made with organic and plant-based ingredients, Berri Fit Plant Based Electrolytes Beverage is another noteworthy alternative to Gatorade. It is low in calories and sugar content, with only 12 grams of sugar in each bottle and it doesn’t leave that alternative sugar aftertaste. No artificial sweeteners are used. It is sweetened with certified organic agave nectar and certified organic manuka honey. It is ½ the calories and 1/3 the sugar of Gatorade.
It also provides nutritional benefits and contains more electrolytes than Gatorade. It is non-GMO, gluten-free, paleo, plant-based, and certified organic. Flavor options for electrolyte beverages include dragon fruit, lemon lime, and mango. They also make Berri Lyte, which is a healthier alternative to Pedialyte to help prevent dehydration due to stomach flu symptoms. All their products are safe for children.
Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Mix
Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Mix is non-GMO, gluten-free, plant-based, keto, and paleo. It comes in convenient single-serving powder packets that mix easily into drinks. It contains 0 grams sugar and all the necessary electrolytes and minerals. It is made with real fruit flavor extracts, plant-based colors, and sweetened with organic stevia leaf.
It is not just for athletes but for anyone that needs a hydration supplement to feel and perform at their best. It has a natural sweet and tart taste without an artificial sweetener aftertaste. Flavor options include raspberry, grape, lemonade, pink lemonade, cherry pomegranate, blue raspberry, watermelon, and orange.
Related Questions
Is Gatorade good if you are sick?
Gatorade may help rehydrate and replenish lost electrolytes when you are sick, but the sugar content is what makes it not a good choice. Gatorade contains about 21 grams of sugar in a 12 fluid ounce serving, which is 41% daily value. A study has shown that high blood sugar levels are associated with weakened immune response. High amounts of sugar may also worsen diarrhea in some people because it stimulates the gut and loosens bowel movements. Water is usually the best choice when you are sick, or check out some healthier alternatives to Gatorade that are listed in this article.
Is Gatorade keto-friendly?
Regular Gatorade is not keto-friendly because it has high amounts of sugar. Gatorade Zero and Powerade Zero are keto-friendly because they contain no sugar, but they do use artificial sweeteners, which are controversial in regards to their effect on health.
Is Gatorade vegan-friendly?
Yes, Gatorade is vegan-friendly and does not contain any animal products. The PETA website also lists regular Gatorade as vegan on their list of vegan beverages.
Is Gatorade gluten-free?
Yes, all Gatorade products (liquid and powder) are gluten-free. The dextrose in Gatorade is also gluten-free.