Is Propel Water Good For You? Insights From A Dietitian

If you were looking for an effective way to hydrate your body and refill the electrolytes during and after an intense workout, you might bump into Propel Water. Well, Propel water has become increasingly popular in the past few years as a refreshing and energetic drink to stay hydrated. It consists of many vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes which the body requires to maintain some essential body functions like fluid balance, muscle function, etc. With its rising popularity, you may be asking, "Is Propel water good for you"? Here, we are with this article to provide comprehensive details on Propel water, its ingredients, nutritive facts, health benefits, potential side effects, how it is comparable with Gatorade, and many more related facts. With correct information, you can decide whether Propel is healthy for you.

Glance At The Topic:

• Propel water is a non-carbonated water drink consisting of several vitamins and antioxidants that help refill electrolytes and fluids lost through excessive sweating or intense exercises.
• Water is the primary component of Propel water, however, it contains many other ingredients such as citric acid, Potassium Citrate, Acesulfame Potassium, natural flavor, sucralose, etc.
• This drink is certainly a better alternative to sugary sports drinks as it contains zero added sugar and calories.
• Because of zero added sugar and calories, this drink comes with some health benefits such as keeping hydrated, helping with electrolyte balance, giving a vitamin boost, etc.
• Consuming a few cups or one bottle of Propel water is safe to drink daily post an intense workout. However, some amount of artificial sweeteners in it can make it an unhealthy choice for a few people.
• The potential side effects of Propel water may include a spike in blood sugar levels, shortage of the body’s natural vitamins and metals, and risks of allergic reaction.

What is Propel Water?

Before we learn, "Is Propel water good for you", let's first have a basic understanding of what Propel water actually is. Well, Propel Water, described as "Fitness Water" was introduced in 2002 in the U.S.A. by the brand called Gatorade. This non-carbonated water drink consists of several vitamins and antioxidants that help refill electrolytes and fluids lost through excessive sweating or intense exercises. This beverage is formulated to hydrate and nourish the body with no excess sugar and calories that are present in traditional sugary sports drinks.

Propel water is available in flavored bottles and ready-made powder packets. The flavored bottles come in 7 flavors that include blueberry-pomegranate, grape, lemon, peach, berry, black cherry, and kiwi-strawberry. On the other hand, powder packets are formulated to mix with plain water and come in 8 flavors. Those flavors are cherry-lime, lemon, berry, raspberry-lemonade, citrus punch, grape, kiwi-strawberry, and lemonade. All these varieties provide a refreshing taste that makes your way of satisfying your thirst more enjoyable. But, what other properties set this beverage apart than the taste? It is the blend of ingredients that delivers a great amount of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes and significantly contributes to your active lifestyle.

What are the Ingredients of Propel?

Water is the primary component of the Propel water, however, it also consists of other potent ingredients that are responsible for its effectiveness and taste. The following are those ingredients and their role:

• Water: Being a main ingredient of Propel Water, water is extremely important to maintain an appropriate level of hydration in the body.
• Citric Acid: It is a natural acid found in citrus fruits which provides a tangy flavor to Propel water and also works as a preservative that helps maintain freshness and prevent change in flavor or color.
• Potassium Citrate: The role of this ingredient is to refill electrolytes lost during an intense workout or any physical activity. A good amount of electrolytes in the body helps in proper nerve and muscle function.
• Aspartame: It is a kind of artificial sweetener in Propel water that adds sweetness without significantly boosting the calories in the drink.
• Ace-K (Acesulfame Potassium): This is another sweetener found in Propel Water that improves the entire taste of the drink while maintaining the calorie count.
• Sucralose: This is an artificial sweetener that sweetens and enhances the flavor of the drink.
• Natural Flavor: Well, natural flavors enhance the taste of Propel water and deliver a refreshing and fulfilling experience.
• Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6): It contributes to several metabolic processes in the body like the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbs. Plus, it supports brain function.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): This ingredient is essential for producing energy and also supports the body's nervous system.
• Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12): It has a major role in strengthening the nervous system and also helps form red blood cells.

What is the Nutritional Value of Propel Water?

Propel water comes under the beverage with a low-calorie count. In one bottle, it serves 0 calories. This drink has no fat, carbs, and protein. Though Propel water does not have an adequate amount of macronutrients like fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, it has vital vitamins such as vitamins B3, B12, and B6. All these types of vitamins contribute to massive energy production and additionally promote overall health.

In one bottle of Propel Water, you can get:

• Calories- 0
• Total Fat- 0g
• Sodium- 270mg
• Total Carbohydrate- 0g
• Total Sugars- 0g
• Protein- 0g
• Vitamin C- 30mg
• Vitamin B6- 1.2mg
• Vitamin E- 3mg
• Potassium- 70mg
• Phosphorus- 148 mg

All these vitamins and minerals play a major role in maintaining hydration in the body and promoting overall health.

Is Drinking Propel Water Good for You?

Curious to know "Is Propel Fitness water good for you?" As this sports drink has zero added sugar and calories, it is certainly a great substitute for sugary sports drinks. This drink is rich in several vitamins and electrolytes which play a great role in bodily functions. With rehydrating your body with a good amount of water, it provides electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Research says, electrolytes maintain the fluid balance in the body and also help in the smooth functioning of nerves and muscles. Moreover, they move vital nutrients inside the cells and get rid of waste from the cells.

However, make sure to consume the Propel water in moderation as there are some less healthy ingredients in it that you should be aware of. One is acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) which is an artificial sweetener and despite the name, it contains just a small amount of potassium. Another artificial sweetener is sucralose which is calorie-free but is 600 times sweeter than table sugar. A study has shown that sucralose can lead to disruption of human gut microbiota (the microorganisms living in digestive tracts) and an unhealthy gut can bring some digestive health issues. So, it is recommended that, if you are a fitness enthusiast or following an intense workout, having Propel water in a moderate amount can be beneficial.

Is Propel Flavored or Unflavored Water Good for You?

If you are a fitness enthusiast, you may have questions, "Is propel flavored water good for you?" or "Is propel unflavored water good for you? Well, Propel water can benefit you with several electrolytes during intense physical activity in maintaining a fluid balance and smooth muscle function. However, the artificial sweeteners in it such as Acesulfame Potassium and sucralose can negatively contribute to some health problems if taken in excess amounts. Hence, you need to drink flavored Propel water in moderation. On the other hand, unflavored Propel water is the safest option as it has no added sugar and zero calories. This drink nourishes the body with essential electrolytes that can help replenish the minerals lost through sweating.

What are The Possible Propel Water Benefits?

The unique blend of several ingredients in Propel Water provides certain benefits to your health. The following are the health benefits of Propel water:

Keeps you hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for good health as it helps maintain body temperature, transport essential nutrients to body cells, and lubricate joints. Propel water can help boost the water level in the body that is lost through sweating during exercise or any physical activity.

Helps with electrolyte balance

Well, electrolyte balance is another benefit of Propel water. This drink helps replenish the electrolytes such as potassium and sodium lost through sweat during the intense workout. By restoring potassium, this energy drink supports proper hydration and muscle function and by restoring sodium, it maintains the body's fluid balance.

Gives vitamin boost

Propel water is highly rich in vitamins B which contribute to several bodily functions. Vitamin B1 supports appropriate nerve function. Vitamin B3 helps in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbs. Vitamin B5 supports energy production from food.

Supports low-sugar diet

As Propel water consists of zero added sugar and calories, this drink is certainly the better alternative to sugar-rich energy drinks like Gatorade for people on low-sugar diets. Extra sugar is good for rapid muscle recovery after an intense workout, however, some people need only less sugar. So, Propel water can be a good water drink option to quench your thirst healthily.

Is Propel Better than Gatorade?

Yes, Propel is better than Gatorade! In a 20-ounce Propel bottle, you get zero added sugar and calories while in a 20-ounce Gatorade bottle, you receive 26 g of sugar and 140 calories. In rare cases, where an athlete or fitness enthusiast needs a quick carb( a sugar) supplementation after the workout or physical activity, Gatorade can be a good option due to its high sugar content. However, an excess amount of added sugar is not an appropriate choice for people on no or low-sugar diets. As per research, intake or excessive amounts of added sugar can lead to chances of obesity, heart disorders, and diabetes.

Moreover, Propel water does not contain any artificial dye while Gatorade has red dye 40. Though Red 40 does not pose any health risk, it has benzidine which is a carcinogen that can cause certain cancers. For these reasons, Propel water is healthier than Gatorade.

Does Propel Help with Dehydration?

Yes, Propel water helps with dehydration. Its primary ingredient is water, which helps stay hydrated by boosting the water levels in the body. Moreover, it provides essential electrolytes that are lost during the workout or any physical activity through sweating, making you dehydrated. Propel water supports hydration by refilling electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphate, chloride, and magnesium which help maintain the fluid balance in the body.

Besides this, this drink is rich in antioxidants and vitamins C and E, helping you feel energized and fresh throughout the day. Furthermore, the sodium content in this beverage helps retain the vital fluids in the body that maintain hydration for a long period.

How Much Propel is Safe to Drink Daily?

Consuming a few cups of Propel water is safe to drink daily. If you follow an intense workout, you can have more than one Propel bottle. However, it is always important to keep in mind that this drink also has some amount of artificial sweeteners. If you are on a no or low-sugar diet, you need to be aware of the potential side effects of artificial sugar. So, 1 bottle or 1 serving of Propel water is in general healthy, but again, artificial sugar tolerance needs to be considered individually.

What Are Potential Propel Water Side Effects?

With the benefits, there are some potential Propel Water side effects involved. Those may include:

Sudden blood sugar spike

Propel water contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener, and as per a study, it can cause a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. Moreover, it has 600 times more sugar content than table sugar, and thus, adversely affects the gut bacteria.

Shortage of vitamins and metals

Calcium disodium EDTA in Propel water combines sodium cyanide, formaldehyde, and ethylene diamine. This ingredient can cause a depletion of the natural metals and vitamins found in the body. This, in turn, can lead to low blood glucose levels, abdominal pain, and headaches.

Risk of an allergic reaction

Sodium hexametaphosphate is a preservative in Propel water which in general is generally safe to consume when balanced by other available minerals. However, some people can show some allergic reactions to this ingredient along with headache issues.

Summing Up

This article answers the question " Is Propel Water Good For You". We learn Propel Water can emerge as a great alternative to sugary energy drinks. Filled with some electrolytes and vitamins, this low-calorie beverage can help maintain electrolyte and fluid balance in the body. This makes it the most refreshing and energetic drink to have after an intense workout. However, with benefits, it has some potential drawbacks. This drink is rich in artificial sweeteners, so it can impact the health of people with no or low-sugar diets. Plus, the preservatives in it can lead to allergic reactions for some individuals. So, by considering your health conditions and fitness goals, you can determine the best choice for your overall health.