The 7 Best Sports Drinks of 2021, According to a Dietitian

Best Overall: NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drink

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Looking for a simple, organic sports drink with quality ingredients and necessary nutrition to keep going? NOOMA takes the top pick among sports drinks. The plant-based sports drink is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, and vegan friendly. Unlike many other sports drinks, each ingredient on the label is easy to read and comes from real foods.

Each 17-ounce carton contains 30 calories and 7 grams of carbohydrates with no added sugar. Coconut water adds potassium, while natural sea salt provides a boost of sodium to help you replenish fluids lost during exercise. There’s a hint of organic stevia to give it a touch of sweetness, but otherwise, it’s a great alternative to sugar-laden sports drinks.

There's a flavor for every taste preference, including Chocolate Mint, Lemonade, Watermelon Lime, Mango, and Blueberry Peach. The convenient 12-pack provides adequate hydration for all your favorite workouts.

Best Low-Sugar: Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets

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If you're a fan of sports drinks but watch your sugar intake, you may opt for a low- or no-sugar option. Nuun Sport's electrolyte tablets contain only 1 gram of sugar, 15 calories, and no artificial flavoring. Compared with the average sports drink that contains more than 30 grams of added sugar, this tablet provides an electrolyte boost without tons of extra calories and carbs.

The convenient tablets mix easily with water to create a hydrating, tasty beverage that comes in a variety of stevia-sweetened flavors, including Lemon Lime, Tri-Berry, Citrus Fruit, and Orange. Each tube provides 10 tablets that contain a balance of essential vitamins and minerals. They’re also soy-free, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan.

Best Higher-Carbohydrate: Gatorade Thirst Quencher

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When you think of sports drinks, Gatorade is probably the first brand that comes to mind. Created in the summer of 1965 by a football coach at the University of Florida, this thirst-quenching drink was made with athletes in mind to help them replenish and recover after a tough workout. The formula is simple—it has an electrolyte and carbohydrate base, which is essentially what is lost after sweating in the heat, and a sweet flavor to entice you to drink. Favored on the sidelines of the NFL for 44 years, this go-to sports beverage is a preferred drink for many professional athletes as well as active adults.

Gatorade is budget-friendly and available almost everywhere, making it an easy option to buy after a long run in the sun. While it does have a lot of sugar in it, this can be helpful for endurance athletes looking for a quick source of easily digestible carbs. For those who want to watch their sugar consumption but love the taste, consider mixing a few tablespoons of Gatorade with cold water for a refreshing electrolyte drink. It comes in a variety of flavors, including Lemon-Lime, Orange, and Fruit Punch.

Best Powder: Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder

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Powdered mixes go further than traditional bottled sports drinks—just stir some into water and go. Ultima's delicious-tasting powder provides six important electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, and phosphate) with no artificial flavors. This sugar-free, zero-calorie, and zero-carbohydrate beverage is sweetened with stevia. It's made with real fruit flavors and comes in many delicious varieties, including Cherry Pomegranate, Raspberry, Grape, and Orange. They're not overly sweet and taste refreshing.

Unlike other powders, which can be chalky, Ultima mixes well and dissolves completely to become a smooth, hydrating drink. The versatile product appeals to many athletes, including those who follow vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo lifestyles. For those who are sensitive to caffeine, it’s also caffeine-free.

Best with Caffeine: Nuun Sport + Caffeine

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Nuun Sport + Caffeine is an easy, portable way for athletes to hydrate and replete necessary electrolytes on the go. Each tube contains ten tablets that mix with water to create an effervescent, thirst-quenching, electrolyte-filled beverage. With only 1 gram of sugar and 15 calories, the super clean tablets provide all the electrolytes athletes need, with minimal extra sugar and no artificial flavorings.

Each tablet also contains 40 milligrams of caffeine, which can help add extra pep to an athlete’s step. Studies show that caffeine may boost athletic performance, although it is important not consume too much at once. Nuun Sport + Caffeine tablets may help athletes get a leg up on the competition, boosting performance while simultaneously rehydrating. 

Best Single-Serve: Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder

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Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Powder is an excellent choice for a sugar-free beverage that will replenish electrolyte levels, hydrate effectively, and provide supporting minerals. In addition to electrolytes, most sports drinks contain sugar and carbohydrates, which can cause blood sugar modulations and add unwanted calories to the diet. Sweetened with stevia, Ultima is a delicious, zero-carb drink that is perfect for athletes who want to add electrolytes to their beverage but don't want extra sugar. 

The Ultima Single Serve Variety Pack comes with 20 sticks in a variety of flavors, including cherry pomegranate, grape, lemonade, orange, and raspberry. These convenient sticks are perfect for athletes to throw in a gym bag or stash in their pocket to mix with water on-the-go. With less mess and great flavor, these single-serve sticks are perfect for athletes who want an electrolyte boost but don't need additional carbs and calories.