Quick Answer
Gatorade zeros do not contain any calories. All Gatorade zero products are formulated to have 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar per serving. This allows athletes and active individuals to hydrate without consuming extra calories.
What are Gatorade zeros?
Gatorade zeros are a line of Gatorade sports drink products that contain no calories or sugar. Traditional Gatorade sports drinks contain carbohydrates and calories to help fuel athletic performance. Gatorade zeros provide hydration and electrolytes without the extra calories.
There are several flavors of Gatorade zero available:
- Orange
- Lemon-lime
- Fruit punch
- Watermelon
- Glacier cherry
- Cool blue
The main ingredients in Gatorade zeros are:
- Water
- Citric acid
- Natural flavor
- Sodium chloride
- Potassium phosphate
- Potassium citrate
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame potassium (ACE-K)
It contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium to help hydrate athletes and replace what’s lost in sweat. The sweeteners sucralose and ACE-K provide sweetness without calories or carbohydrates.
Nutrition Facts for Gatorade Zero
Here are the nutrition facts for one 20oz bottle (591ml) of Gatorade Zero Orange Thirst Quencher:
| Nutrient | Per Bottle |
|---|---|
| Calories | 0 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 200mg |
| Potassium | 75mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, Gatorade Zero Orange contains 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar per bottle. All the Gatorade zero products have the same calorie and nutrient profile.
Why Gatorade zero has 0 calories
Gatorade zero is formulated to have zero calories by using non-nutritive sweeteners instead of sugar. Here’s how:
- It does not contain any actual sugar. Traditional Gatorade uses sugars like sucrose and dextrose to provide calories and carbohydrates.
- Instead, Gatorade zero is sweetened with sucralose and ACE-K. These are high-intensity artificial sweeteners that provide a sweet taste without calories or carbs.
- By not using any sugar or other caloric sweeteners, Gatorade zero has no calories, no sugar, and no carbohydrates.
This allows people to get the hydration and electrolyte benefits of a sports drink without unnecessary calories or sugar.
Athletes need to replenish fluids, electrolytes, and carbohydrates. However, the average person just needs hydration without extra calories. Gatorade zero was formulated for this purpose – to provide hydration for non-athletes without calories.
Benefits of Gatorade Zero
Here are some key benefits that Gatorade Zero offers by having zero calories and sugar:
- Weight management – No extra calories supports weight management goals and needs.
- Diabetes friendly – The zero sugar formula is suitable for people with diabetes or blood sugar concerns.
- Dental health – No sugar means less risk for tooth decay.
- Low carb diets – Fits into low-carb, keto, and other no-sugar diets.
- Hydration – Provides effective hydration with electrolytes and zero calories.
For athletes or very active people, the traditional calorie-containing Gatorades may still be a better option to fuel workouts and performance.
But for most people looking for hydration with less sugar, Gatorade Zero offers an appealing alternative.
Does Gatorade Zero actually hydrate you?
Yes, Gatorade Zero will effectively hydrate you even though it has no calories or carbohydrates.
Here’s how it provides hydration:
- It provides fluid volume like water or any beverage to rehydrate the body.
- It contains sodium and potassium, key electrolytes lost in sweat.
- The sodium in Gatorade Zero helps your body absorb and retain the fluid you are drinking.
- This helps you rehydrate faster and retain more of the fluid than drinking plain water.
Studies show that rehydration fluids that contain sodium and potassium hydrate people faster after exercise than plain water.
So even though Gatorade Zero doesn’t contain calories or carbs for energy, it still helps your body hydrate effectively to replace fluid and electrolyte losses.
Is Gatorade Zero good for you?
Gatorade Zero can be a healthy beverage choice in moderation for most active people and athletes looking to cut back on sugar.
Potential benefits of Gatorade Zero:
- Hydration – Provides fluid with electrolytes to rehydrate
- Weight management – Zero calories aids weight control
- Blood sugar – Won’t spike blood sugar like sugary drinks
However, there are some downsides to consider:
- Artificial sweeteners – Sucralose and ACE-K aren’t as natural as sugar
- Acidity – Can be hard on teeth and potentially digestive system
- Cost – More expensive than water or making your own drink
For most people, Gatorade Zero in moderation can be a healthier alternative to sugary sports drinks. But it shouldn’t replace plain water for regular hydration needs.
Some athletes may still benefit from traditional Gatorade with carbs for intense training over 1 hour long. But for the average person, Gatorade Zero offers hydration with less sugar and calories.
Alternatives to Gatorade Zero
If you want to avoid artificial sweeteners but still want a lower-calorie sports drink, here are some alternatives to Gatorade Zero to consider:
Diluted Gatorade
You can dilute regular Gatorade with water to cut the calories and sugar in half. Try mixing equal parts Gatorade and water.
Coconut water
Plain coconut water is naturally sweet with electrolytes like potassium. Look for unsweetened varieties with minimal ingredients.
DIY sports drink
Make your own sports drink at home by mixing water, fruit juice/puree, salt, and honey or maple syrup for carbs. Adjust ingredients to your hydration needs.
Skratch Labs
Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration has only real fruit sugar and sea salt. It has half the carbs and sugar of Gatorade with a clean ingredient list.
Nuun Sport
Nuun tablets contain electrolytes and vitamins without carbs, calories, or sweeteners. Just add to water.
For hydration without artificial sweeteners, these options provide healthy alternatives to sugary sports drinks or Gatorade Zero.
Conclusion
In summary, Gatorade Zero provides hydration from fluids and electrolytes without any calories or sugar. By using non-nutritive sweeteners instead of caloric sugars, Gatorade Zero has 0 calories and 0g of sugar per serving.
This allows people to get the rehydration benefits of a sports drink without the excess calories and carbs. Gatorade Zero can promote hydration and weight management compared to sugary sports beverages. However, the artificial sweeteners may be concerning for some.
Diluting regular Gatorade or using coconut water, homemade drinks, and low-sugar sports drink options provide alternatives to Gatorade Zero. For most active people looking to reduce sugar and calories, enjoying Gatorade Zero in moderation can be a healthier choice.
