Is Gatorade G2 Bad For You?
Short answer
Yes, Gatorade G2 is bad for you. The sports drink contains many unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Gatorade markets G2 as being low-calorie and per their website, “Our lightest way to help replace what you sweat out. G2 hydrates with the same electrolyte formula of Gatorade Thirst Quencher, but has less than half the carbs and calories of the Original G.” However, the product contains many unnecessary ingredients that do nothing to replenish the nutrients we lose during an intense workout.
Despite the defenders of sucralose (Splenda-esq artificial sweetener), the jury is still out on whether or not it is as safe as some deem it to be. However, there’s no disputing that it is completely unnecessary, even more so if it does lead to cancer and other negative health concerns. Monopotassium phosphate can lead to shortness of breath, chest pain, and over a period of extended consumption can draw calcium from the bones making one more susceptible to injuries. Oh right, monopotassium phosphate is also used as a fertilizer.
Acesulfame potassium is simply present to make the drink sweeter. Long-term consumption can lead to stomach pain, depression, and possibly even negative effects on the liver and kidneys. For a substance that is completely unnecessary, these risks are not worth a sweeter drink. Ace-K has also been shown to cause thyroid damage in lab animals.
G2, along with numerous other Gatorade products, all have food coloring that has been linked to various health risks, including hyperactivity in children (leading to ADHD diagnosis and unneeded medication), altered cognitive function, and cancer. This is also another unnecessary addition that doesn’t provide any health benefits and increases the risks of G2.
While Gatorade can lean on “inconclusive results” on whether or not some of their G2 ingredients are dangerous, it’s clearly obvious that they are absolutely unnecessary for a product that is supposed to be geared towards bettering your recovery time, and helping you reduce your intake of those pesky carbs (which can actually be great for you) and added sugar. There’s no question that the company is powerful and knows how to market its many products – however, that does not mean they should be blindly trusted.
Possible short-term side effects
- hyperactivity
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shortness of breath
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chest pain
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nausea
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headaches
Possible long-term side effects
- low blood pressure
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reduced calcium in bones
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liver & kidney problems
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cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drink
- Organic hydration
- Coconut water enriched
- No added sugar
- Only 30 calories
- Electrolyte replenishment
Learn More!
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 05-26-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 05-26-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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