Let’s talk about Logan Paul’s Prime drinks and whether they’re actually healthy. I’ve got some insights from a dietitian, so buckle up and get ready for the scoop.
So, Logan Paul, the YouTube sensation turned professional wrestler, has ventured into the food and wellness industry with his brand called Prime. This company offers energy drinks, “hydration” drinks, and flavor packets. Since a big chunk of Logan’s fan base consists of children, these drinks are designed to be attractive to all age groups.
But the burning question remains: Are these drinks really healthy, especially for the kiddos? To shed some light on the matter, we reached out to our senior nutrition and news editor, Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia. Here’s her take on Prime drinks and what she wants you to know.
Let’s start with the nutritional breakdown of Prime’s newest energy drink flavor, Ice Pop, in a 12 fl-oz. can:
- 10 calories
- 0 grams of total fat
- 55 milligrams of sodium
- 2 grams of carbohydrates
- 0 grams of total sugar
- 0 grams of protein
- 200 milligrams of caffeine
On the surface, this seems like a healthier option for an energy drink. It’s low in calories, has no added sugar, and contains a modest amount of sodium. However, Maria Laura advises caution due to the high caffeine content.
“Each 12 fl-oz. can of Prime energy drink contains a whopping 200 mg of caffeine,” she warns. “Just to put that into perspective, a cup of brewed coffee (8 fl-oz.) typically has between 92 to 110 mg of caffeine. So, you’re essentially consuming double the amount of caffeine without a proportional increase in serving size.” To put it in context, a 12 fl-oz. serving of Red Bull has 107 milligrams of caffeine, which is half the amount found in a Prime energy drink.
Now, if you’re thinking that the caffeine boost will skyrocket your energy levels, think again. Too much caffeine can actually have the opposite effect.
“One major drawback of energy drinks like this one is that while they contain caffeine, they don’t actually provide energy,” explains Maria Laura. “Caffeine may give you a temporary jolt, but it doesn’t directly provide you with real energy. Once the caffeine wears off, you might experience an energy crash.”
Next up, let’s address the safety of Prime energy drinks for kids. With their eye-catching packaging, these beverages can be particularly enticing to young consumers.
“One of the main concerns is that these products attract kids and teens, especially when there’s a celebrity endorsement involved,” Maria Laura points out. “Even though the energy drinks are labeled as not recommended for children under 18 years old, they are still being sold on their website. Consequently, kids are pestering their parents to buy them.” Some schools have even started banning these drinks and alerting parents to the potential risks.
“It’s important to remember that a child’s body is much smaller than an adult’s, so even smaller amounts of caffeine can cause side effects,” she adds. “Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to symptoms such as nervousness, jitters, rapid heart rate, headaches, irregular heartbeat, and sleep disturbances. Since caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, it could interfere with their development.”
Now, let’s shift gears and talk about Prime’s hydration drinks. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for one 16.9 fl-oz. bottle of their lemonade hydration drink:
- 25 calories
- 0 grams of total fat
- 10 milligrams of sodium
- 5 grams of carbohydrates
- 1 gram of total sugar
- 0 grams of protein
These hydration drinks appear to be more suitable for kids since they don’t contain caffeine. However, Maria Laura emphasizes that these so-called “hydrating” beverages may not be as beneficial as they seem.
“When it comes to hydration, electrolytes play a crucial role. Prime Hydration drinks only provide magnesium and potassium, while they lack other important electrolytes like calcium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate,” she explains. “Moreover, they are devoid of sugar. Although excessive added sugar is not good for you, your body needs an adequate amount of glucose to properly absorb those electrolytes and transport them into your cells.”
While these hydration drinks won’t fully replenish your electrolytes like some other options on the market, they do provide hydration to some extent because they are liquid and contain a few electrolytes.
So, in a nutshell, if you’re considering purchasing Logan Paul’s Prime energy or hydration drinks, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Firstly, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can have negative effects on your body, including energy crashes, and it can be particularly harmful for young consumers. Secondly, proper hydration goes beyond what’s on the label, and while these hydration drinks offer some hydration, they fall short in terms of essential electrolytes that support optimal bodily function.
Stay informed, folks, and remember to make smart choices when it comes to your health and well-being. And if you’re looking for ways to boost your energy or stay hydrated, there are plenty of other options out there that might suit you better. Cheers to a healthy lifestyle!
