There are plenty of sports hydration drinks on the market today: Gatorade, Powerade, SoBe Life Water, and countless other options.
In early 2022, Logan Paul and fellow Youtuber KSI came together and launched their product: Prime Hydration.
But what exactly Prime Hydration, what’s inside it, and, more importantly, is Prime Hydration as good as Logan Paul claims?
Let’s dig into it and find out.
What is Prime Hydration?
Prime Hydration is a sports drink designed for active people to stay hydrated and optimize their athletic performance.
Logan Paul and KSI announced the product in January of 2022, claiming that Prime Hydration was created to rival the biggest names in the game: Gatorade, Powerade, and others. The duo discussed the importance of proper hydration and how it can affect a person’s athletic performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
The drink was roughly six months in the making, and one of the selling points of Prime Hydration was its taste. According to Paul and KSI, the sports drink tastes amazing, even better than the products from world-famous competitors.
But what about the nutritional profile and Prime’s impact on health?
Prime Hydration: An Overview
Here is an overview of Prime’s nutritional profile:
- Serving size: 16.9 fl ounces (500 ml)
- Calories: 20
- Total fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Total carbs: 5 grams (2 grams of sugar)
- Protein: 0 grams
- Calcium: 0 mg
- Iron: 0 mg
- Magnesium: 123.9 mg (30 percent of daily needs)
- Potassium: 700 mg (15 percent of daily needs)
- Vitamin A: 900 mcg (100 percent of daily needs)
- Vitamin B6: 3.4 mg (200 percent of daily needs)
- Vitamin B12: 4.8 mcg (200 percent of daily needs)
- Vitamin D: 0 mcg
- Vitamin E: 15 mg (100 percent of daily needs)
- Zinc: 1.1 mg (10 percent of daily needs)
Calories
Prime Hydration has only 20 calories per bottle, which makes it great for active people who pay attention to their energy intake. It is particularly beneficial for those interested in weight loss because it doesn’t add hundreds of calories to your daily intake.
Fat, Cholesterol, Protein, Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin D
We grouped these nutrients together because Prime Hydration does not contain any of them.
None of these are necessary in the short term, especially for people following a healthy and balanced diet.
The only potential exception here is calcium, which functions as an electrolyte in the body. Temporary depletion can result in muscle cramps, fatigue, brain fog, and more.
Sodium
Sodium is also an electrolyte that plays a crucial role in fluid balance, nerve signaling, and more.
The dose of 10 mg per bottle is relatively low, considering the FDA’s recommendation of up to 2,300 mg of sodium daily.
The nutrient is there, but the dose isn’t enough to make a difference, especially during a sweaty training session.
Total Carbs
Prime Hydration has only five grams of carbs per serving, two of which are sugar, which accounts for all the calories in the drink.
On the one hand, the low carb content makes the sports drink great for people who control their calories, particularly those interested in fat loss.
But on the other hand, a lack of carbs makes the drink less beneficial for people who depend on intra-workout nutrition to perform at their best. Prime Hydration can replenish lost electrolytes to an extent, but it doesn’t provide energy to support repeated efforts, such as during running or cycling.
Magnesium
Prime Hydration contains 123.9 mg of magnesium per serving, which accounts for 30 percent of the average person’s daily needs.
We have to give them credit here. In addition to reducing the risk of a magnesium deficiency, which can lead to various issues, getting the nutrient at crucial times can prevent acute depletion.
Magnesium is an electrolyte similar to sodium and potassium, and having adequate levels in your body is necessary for optimal brain function, muscle contractions, and much more.
Potassium
Each serving of Prime Hydration provides 700 mg of potassium, roughly 15 percent of daily needs.
The risk of a potassium deficiency is relatively low, particularly for people eating a balanced diet, but getting some from a sports drink can be beneficial.
As mentioned in the previous point, potassium is an electrolyte that plays a crucial role in fluid balance, nerve signaling, and more. Having some during and after intense exercise can boost your energy levels, well-being, athletic performance, and overall cognition.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient necessary for skin and eye health, soft tissue and skeletal integrity, immune system strength, and more.
The nutrient is crucial for human health, but we are surprised to see it on the nutritional label. First, vitamin A is found in various foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and more. The risk of a deficiency is negligible in healthy individuals.
Second, vitamin A doesn’t have acute benefits and won’t lead to any advantages if you consume it as part of a sports drink.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is another essential nutrient the body needs to operate at peak efficiency.
The nutrient is necessary for immune system health, nerve function, food metabolism, the production of hemoglobin (a carrier protein that takes oxygen molecules to all parts of the body), and more.
But, as with vitamin A, getting it as part of a sports drink is likely redundant. Anyone following a balanced diet will cover their daily needs with ease.
Vitamin B12
Prime Hydration includes Vitamin B12 as its third essential nutrient. Like Vitamin B6, B12 appears in a high concentration, offering twice the daily requirement in just one 500 ml serving.
We don’t consider it necessary here simply because you can get large amounts in food like meat, dairy, and eggs. The only people who could potentially benefit from B12 in Prime and keep the deficiency risk low are vegans.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is the second fat-soluble nutrient found in Prime Hydration. Like vitamin A, the nutrient is dosed to cover your daily needs.
Again, we consider the choice redundant simply because you can get plenty of vitamin E from everyday foods.
Additionally, since vitamins A and E are fat-soluble, the body can store excess amounts for later, which can increase the risk of toxicity down the road.
Zinc
A serving of Prime Hydration provides one mg of zinc, roughly 10 percent of the average person’s daily needs.
Similar to the vitamins we looked at previously, zinc is an essential mineral with critical bodily functions.
Zinc is necessary for optimal testosterone production, immune system strength, cell growth, and more. But, as with some of the previous nutrients covered, you don’t necessarily have to get zinc during a workout.
What matter most is that you get enough zinc throughout the day.
Okay, but what about ingredients with no nutritional value?
A Deeper Look At The Nutritional Label
Here is the ingredient label for Prime Hydration:
- Filtered water
- Coconut water from concentrate
- Citric acid
- Dipotassium phosphate
- Natural flavor
- Trimagnesium citrate
- Sucralose
- Beta carotene for color
- d-Alpha tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E)
- Acesulfame potassium
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-valine
- Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A)
- Zinc aspartate
Filtered water
Filtered water is great for our health because it is chlorine-free, contains no metals or bacteria, and has a better taste and smell.
Coconut water from concentrate
Coconut water is excellent for our health on many fronts. Still, the heat used during production is high enough to damage nutrients and enzymes that naturally occur, resulting in lower overall nutrition.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a naturally-occurring compound found in fruits, including lemons and limes. The form found in foods is slightly different from the artificial kind, but research suggests both are beneficial.
Dipotassium phosphate
Research considers dipotassium phosphate, an inorganic compound frequently added to foods, safe for human consumption because it does not accumulate in the body to toxic levels and is generally used in small quantities.
Natural flavor
Manufacturers enhance the taste of food and drinks by adding natural flavor, which they derive from substances extracted from spices, fruits, fruit juices, meat, poultry, and other sources.
Trimagnesium citrate
Trimagnesium citrate, also known as magnesium citrate, is an inorganic additive commonly used as a mineral source in foods and beverages.
Sucralose
Sucralose is a calorie-free sweetener that is about 600 sweeter than table sugar. It is most commonly sold as Splenda but can also be found in many foods and beverages today.
Beta carotene for color
Beta carotene is a red-orange plant pigment often used as a coloring agent in foods and beverages. The compound gets converted to vitamin A in the body.
D-Alpha tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E)
D-Alpha tocopheryl acetate is the synthetic form of vitamin E and is often added to foods and beverages to boost their nutritional profile.
Acesulfame potassium
Acesulfame potassium is a well-studied compound often used as a sweetener during food manufacturing. It is 200 times sweeter than table sugar, and research finds it largely safe.
Still, some people advise against consuming the compound by steering clear of foods and beverages that contain it.
L-leucine
L-leucine is an amino acid with potent effects in the body. When consumed in large enough amounts, it can promote muscle protein synthesis, which is crucial for growth and development.
L-isoleucine
L-isoleucine is another crucial amino acid necessary for protein synthesis. Unfortunately, Prime Hydration doesn’t contain much to have a real-world impact on muscle growth and recovery.
L-valine
L-valine is also an amino acid and is related to L-leucine. It is necessary for protein synthesis and is involved in processes related to immunity, metabolism, and more.
Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A)
Retinyl palmitate is a synthetic alternative to the naturally-occurring vitamin A found in animals, some fruits, and vegetables. It is used to boost the nutritional profile of foods and beverages.
Zinc aspartate
Zinc aspartate is a synthetic form of the mineral. Aspartate improves zinc absorption, allowing it to provide benefits related to nerve transmission, immunity, and more.
Prime Hydration vs. Gatorade, Liquid IV, and More
Now that we’ve thoroughly educated ourselves on all things Prime Hydration, let’s compare it to some of its biggest competitors: Gatorade, Liquid IV, Powerade, and SoBe Life Water.
| Nutrition (per serving) | Prime Hydration | Gatorade | Liquid IV | Powerade | SoBe Life Water |
| Calories | 20 | 140 | 50 | 140 | 0 |
| Carbohydrates | 5 grams (2 grams of sugar) | 36 grams (34 grams of sugar) | 12 grams (11 grams of sugar) | 35 grams (35 grams of sugar) | 0 grams |
| Electrolytes | 825 mg | 345 mg | 870 mg | 60 mg | 0 mg |
| Protein | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0g |
| Flavors (as of late 2022) | 7 | 22 | 10 | 9 | 4 |
Besides SoBe Life Water, Prime Hydration is the only beverage with almost no calories and sugar. Liquid IV is also relatively low in calories at 50 per serving, but that is more than double the energy found in Prime.
As for electrolytes, Liquid IV has slightly more than Prime, but the entire amount comes from sodium and potassium. Prime, while providing marginally less, offers four electrolytes.
So, Is a Scam?
The Paul brothers have their fair share of critics and fans worldwide. If you’re part of the former, it can be easy to jump to conclusions like, “Prime Hydration can’t possibly be good, considering who one of the co-founders is.”
But, from our analysis and the comparisons we did with its main competitors, the sports drink appears to be legit. It has almost no sugar, the electrolyte content is great, and the flavor selection seems to grow steadily.
At the time of writing this, we can confidently say that Prime Hydration is not a scam and might even be better than most other options on the market. Of course, we urge you to try it for yourself before deciding.
Interested in giving Prime Hydration a try? Check it our here.
