Propel Water is flavored bottled fitness water enriched with a lot of vitamins and electrolytes to re-energize your body after an intense workout session.
If you are someone who engages in regular workouts like running, swimming, cardio, and are looking for an electrolytes-rich drink, then Propel Water can be the right fit for you.
Propel Water will energize you and replenish the valuable electrolytes you lost during workouts, but this beverage should be consumed in moderation. It contains many artificial additives like sucralose, acesulfame potassium, ascorbic acid, sodium hexametaphosphate which can have a negative impact on your health if consumed in large quantities.
Interested to find out more about all the pros and cons of Propel Water? Continue reading.
Table of Contents
What are the ingredients in Propel Water?
Besides water, Propel Water also contains citric acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E acetate, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6).
Aside from these vitamins, Propel Water is enriched with a lot of minerals like sodium, calcium, and potassium.
Propel Water is sweetened with two artificial substitutes of sugar, namely sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Sodium hexametaphosphate and calcium disodium EDTA are added to preserve the flavor of the product, while potassium sorbate maintains the freshness of the beverage.
Propel Water comes in different flavors like Berry, Grape, Kiwi Strawberry, Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Peach, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon, and Black Cherry. So, Propel Water also contains natural flavors of these fruits.
How many calories does Propel Water have?
Propel Water has zero calories. As it is sweetened with artificial calorie-less sweeteners like acesulfame potassium and sucralose, it does not contain any calories. So, it is a suitable beverage for someone on a keto diet.
How many electrolytes are in Propel Water?
A beverage product of Gatorade, Propel Water contains “Gatorade-level electrolytes”. Basically, one 12-ounce serving of Propel Water contains 160 milligrams of sodium and 45 milligrams of potassium.
Does Propel Water have caffeine?
No. Propel Water does not contain caffeine, and none of the ingredients in this electrolyte water has caffeine naturally present in them. So, Propel Water is not a caffeinated drink, and it will not keep you awake.
Does Propel Water have sugar?
Propel Water does not have natural sugar or sucrose. It contains two types of artificial sweeteners called sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener derived from real sugar. It is produced through a chemical process in the laboratory which makes it 600 times sweeter than sucrose while keeping it a calorie-free sugar substitute.
Some scientific reports state that sucralose led to inflammation in rats. Although more research has to be done to find out if there is any similar negative health impact of sucralose on humans, it is stated that sucralose harms gut health and can cause digestive distress.
Acesulfame potassium, despite its name, contains trace amounts of potassium and is primarily used as an artificial sweetener in Propel Water. Although this is an FDA-approved sweetener, some studies on mice show that it is related to weight gain, obesity, and chronic inflammation.
Does Propel Water have electrolytes?
Yes. Propel Water contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium which are essential minerals vital for the proper functioning of the human body. Much of these electrolytes are lost with sweat during intense physical activities.
An electrolytes-rich beverage like Propel Water helps to replenish and rejuvenate the body after a good workout sesh!
Does Propel Water have artificial sweeteners?
Yes. As already mentioned, Propel Water does not contain real, natural sugar. Instead, it contains two artificial substitutes of sugar called acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Both these artificial sweeteners are zero-calorie additives. However, both of them have certain side effects that you need to be aware of.
While sucralose or Splenda (the commercial name) can negatively impact your gut health, it can also cause a 14% spike in blood sugar levels of those who do not regularly consume foods and beverages sweetened with sucralose.
Acesulfame potassium is again a zero-calorie no-benefits sweetener that contains methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.
Does Propel Water have aspartame?
No. Propel Water does not contain aspartame. It is sweetened with acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Aspartame is a common artificial sweetener used in foods and beverages which is 200 times sweeter than real sugar.
Does Propel Water have potassium?
Yes, Propel Water contains potassium. It is one of the chief electrolytes present in this rejuvenating drink that replenishes the nutrients lost during workouts. As mentioned before, one 12 ounce serving of Propel Water has 45 mg of potassium.
This quantity is actually quite less. It is only about 1-2% of the daily potassium requirement of an adult.
Does Propel Water have sodium?
Yes. Propel Water has sodium in it. It is another electrolyte that replenishes the body after an intense workout. One 12 ounce serving of Propel Water contains 160 mg of sodium. This amount is sufficient as it is about 10% of the daily sodium requirement of an adult.
Does Propel Water have fluoride?
No. There is no evidence of possible fluoride content in Propel Water. Fluoride is not listed in the list of ingredients. So, even if there is fluoride present in Propel Water, the amount must be very low.
Does Propel Water cause acid reflux?
Mostly no. Acid reflux is mainly caused when sugary, carbonated, caffeinated, acidic, fatty, or alcoholic drinks are consumed. Regular water is the best drink to consume if you do not want acid reflux.
A bottle of Propel Water is also safe to drink and likely won’t cause acid reflux. However, if you have a tendency of acid reflux, then you might want to avoid certain citrusy, acidic varieties of Propel Water which contain flavors of orange, kiwi, and cranberry.
Does Propel Water cause diarrhea?
Propel Water will not cause diarrhea if consumed in moderation. Electrolytes-rich water will not automatically aggravate gut problems and lead to diarrhea. However, as Propel Water is sweetened with sucralose, consuming too many bottles of it in one day can cause abdominal pain and even lead to diarrhea.
Too much sodium intake is also linked with diarrhea and vomiting. There are quite a few customer reviews on Amazon that state too much consumption of Propel Water in a single day caused them diarrhea.
Does Propel Water cause gas or bloating?
Propel Water can cause gas and bloat if not consumed in moderation. The artificial sweetener sucralose is shown to increase weight gain problems, increase appetite and even cause digestive distress such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Does Propel Water cause cancer?
Again, the keyword here is moderation. Propel Water does contain a few ingredients which can cause cancer. For instance, acesulfame potassium contains methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.
Again, sodium hexametaphosphate, another ingredient in Propel Water, is okay if consumed occasionally. Large-scale consumption of this however has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Is Propel Water good for diabetics?
As Propel Water is sweetened with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, it is okay to be consumed by people with diabetes. Both these sugar substitutes are marketed as safe alternatives to sucrose.
No serious negative short-term impact of sucralose and acesulfame potassium has been found. However, if not consumed in moderation and instead taken daily, these sweeteners can cause a spike in insulin levels and worsen diabetes.
Does Propel Water cause kidney stones?
Keeping oneself sufficiently hydrated is essential to prevent kidney stones. In that respect, water is the best fluid to have. Propel Water, however, might not be a very safe choice, primarily because of its sodium and potassium content.
High sodium can cause high urine calcium, which can cause kidney stones. As previously mentioned, one 12-ounce serving of Propel Water contains 160 milligrams of sodium, and this makes Propel Water a moderately high sodium beverage.
On the other hand, potassium-rich foods are likely to prevent kidney stones. Propel Water, however, only contains 45 milligrams of potassium in one 12-ounce serving, and it is not sufficient enough to stop the formation of kidney stones.
Can Propel Water cause headaches?
Yes, Propel Water can cause headaches if consumed in high amounts frequently. While sucralose is an FDA-approved artificial sweetener, too much of it can trigger headaches. Sodium hexametaphosphate and calcium disodium EDTA can also cause headaches if not consumed in moderation.
Does Propel Water cause high blood pressure?
Too much sodium intake can increase blood pressure levels in your body. As Propel Water is a relatively high sodium content beverage, it is okay to be consumed once or twice a day. It should not be consumed bottle after bottle like your regular water.
Does Propel Water cause acne?
There has been no conclusive evidence to show that drinking Propel Water causes breakouts and acne. Drinks that contain too much caffeine or sugar are likely to increase pimples and acne.
But, as Propel Water is mildly sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium, and does not contain any caffeine, it is a safe drink to consume if you are worried about breaking out.
Does Propel Water cause weight gain?
Again, one or two bottles of Propel Water after an intense workout session will not lead to weight gain; especially since this is a zero-calorie drink.
However, there have been some recent studies that argue too much sucralose can increase appetite and lead to weight gain.
Can diabetic people drink Propel Water?
As mentioned earlier, the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium are deemed safe sugar substitutes for people with diabetes, when consumed in moderation. Too much of these sweeteners can however lead to an insulin spike in blood sugar level and worsen the diabetic condition.
One or maybe two bottles of Propel Water after some intense physical activities is okay for a diabetic person. It should not however become a daily habit and be consumed frequently.
Can dogs drink Propel Water?
An occasional drink of Propel Water can be okay for dogs, especially the ones that are weak or old; as Propel Water is loaded with electrolytes. The salt, vitamins, and minerals in Propel Water can help the weak, older dogs.
However, Propel Water should not be used as a water substitute for such dogs. Sucralose present in Propel Water can mess with the gut biome of dogs and lead to vomiting and diarrhea. So, it is best to give dogs regular water to keep them hydrated.
Can you drink Propel Water while fasting?
Yes. During fasting, the best beverage to consume is plain ol’ water. You can also have a bottle of flavored electrolyte water like Propel when fasting since it is a zero-calorie drink.
You should however keep in mind that even artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium can kick-start a sugar craving, which may make it harder for you to stick to your fast.
Can you drink Propel Water while pregnant?
Yes. While Propel Water is primarily targeted to active individuals who work out regularly, pregnant women also need electrolytes-rich water to hydrate and nourish the body.
Propel Water contains vitamins B, C, and E. Vitamin B helps in metabolism, while antioxidants like vitamins C and E help in fighting bacteria and diseases. Propel Water is also a non-caffeinated drink which makes it a suitable beverage option for pregnant women.
Also, Propel Water can help with nausea from morning sickness or leg cramps, a common complaint of pregnant women after the first trimester. Just make sure you drink Propel Water in moderation, as it contains additives like sweeteners and preservatives.
Can I drink Propel Water while intermittent fasting?
Yes. As it is a zero-calorie beverage, you can totally drink Propel Water during intermittent fasting. Moreover, it contains the natural flavors of many types of fruits and tons of vitamins and minerals which nourish your body.
However, since Propel Water contains artificial sweeteners and can increase your sugar cravings, it might be best to drink Propel Water when you are looking to replenish any lost electrolytes after a hard workout.
Can I drink Propel Water with braces?
Propel Water contains citric acid which is a dangerous item for dental health. It increases the growth of acidogenic bacteria and leads to the erosion of teeth.
Having Propel Water occasionally when wearing braces is okay. Regular consumption of this water should be restricted as it harms the enamel of the teeth and increases cavity formation because of the presence of citric acid and the two artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium).
Does Propel Water have an expiry date?
Yes. Unflavored Propel Water has a shelf life of 270 days, and flavored Propel Water has a shelf life of 180 days from the date of manufacture.
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