3 Popular Brands Just Dropped Electrolyte Drinks. Here's What Nutritionists Actually Think
The kid-friendly brands are embracing hydration — but how beneficial are they, really?
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Our childhood favorites are changing. Pop-Tarts are being protein-ified, Oreo is stocking sugar-free cookies and Shirley Temple has become a popular flavor of prebiotic soda.
Now, three beloved kid-friendly drink brands are also getting a functional twist, with Kool-Aid, Capri Sun and Tropicana all breaking into the electrolyte category. (Notably, the former two are both owned by the same parent company, Kraft-Heinz.)
What are Kool-Aid, Capri Sun and Tropicana’s new electrolyte products?
Each brand is putting its own spin on electrolytes, though with almost identical names:
- Kool-Aid Hydration: The only electrolyte powder of the three, each pack comes with six single-serve, zero-sugar powder sticks. They’re available in three classic Kool-Aid flavors: Tropical Punch, Grape and Blue Raspberry Lemonade (aka red, purple and blue), for a suggested retail price of $4.99 per box.
- Capri Sun Hydrate: The classic 12-ounce Capri Sun pouch designed for kids, now with added electrolytes and Vitamin E. Each pouch has 5 grams of added sugar and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. The juice is available in Fruit Punch, Tropical Punch and a new flavor, Lemon Lime. Each box contains 10 six-ounce pouches for a suggested retail price of at $4.29.
- Tropicana Hydrate: The new drink includes a blend of real fruit juice, coconut water and electrolytes. The drink contains zero added sugar and is free of artificial dyes and flavors. It's available in Strawberry Watermelon and Peach Mango flavors with a suggested retail price of $1.98 for an 11-ounce bottle or $3.44 for a 46-ounce bottle.
Are the new electrolyte products actually good for you?
While electrolyte products appear to be a summer trend, they'll likely just contribute to confusion consumers have about hydration, says nutrition expert Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D., A.T.C.
“Most people get plenty of electrolytes from non-enhanced foods and beverages," White says. "Adding more to these drinks doesn’t make them any healthier, and perhaps can lead to overconsumption of micronutrients like magnesium, which can be harmful if you take in too much.”
Most people should reserve drinking electrolytes for when they’re heavily exercising, adds Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N — they’re especially helpful when doing so in the sun.
“The issue is that these beverages generally don't provide nutritional value, and adding electrolytes doesn't necessarily make them ‘healthier’ or ‘better for you’ drinks,” Amidor says.
And while Capri-Sun claims its drink is specifically formulated for kids, White and Amidor wouldn’t recommend it. There are no nutrition standards set for children’s consumption of electrolytes, and most small kids playing sports don't need them. The one advantage of the drink is that it contains less added sugar than some other kids’ drinks, though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn't recommend any added sugar for children under the age of 11.
How much sodium do these electrolyte products contain?
According to White, Tropicana and Capri Sun contain very small amounts of electrolytes like potassium, magnesium and sodium. Kool-Aid is the only product of the three that contains a substantial amount of sodium — 330 grams per serving, which is higher than in a typical sports drink.
What sweeteners do these electrolyte products use?
“Each beverage uses a different combination of ingredients for sweetness,” Amidor says.
Tropicana uses stevia extract, which is why it lists 0 grams of added sugar. However, it does contain 13 grams of sugar from natural fruit sources. Meanwhile, sugar is the second ingredient in the Capri Sun pouches. Those also use stevia, resulting in 5 grams of added sugar per pouch, or 10 grams per serving. The Kool-Aid packets contain 0 grams of sugar (natural or added), and are instead sweetened with aspartame.
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