What's "better" than Prime depends on your goal: for general hydration with lower sugar, water, coconut water, or electrolyte powders like Nuun are great; for serious athletic performance, drinks with higher sodium like BodyArmor or specific electrolyte mixes (LMNT) are often preferred; and for gut health, PREPD offers prebiotics, while water, simple electrolyte drinks, or whole foods are healthier than sugary alternatives.
⚖️ Bottom line – if you're simply avoiding added sugar and artificial colors – PRIME is the better option, however we would not consider it to be “healthy” or even “healthier” than other sports drinks on the market and WE DO NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR ADULTS OR CHILDREN.
Prime alternatives and similar brands
Prime hydration drink vs Gatorade
As a nutritionist, I'd recommend Prime for everyday hydration due to its lower sugar content and fewer calories, making it a healthier option for those not engaged in strenuous exercise.
The "healthiest" energy drink focuses on natural caffeine (green tea, coffee bean extract), minimal sugar (or monk fruit/stevia), added vitamins (B, C), electrolytes, and no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, with popular choices often cited being ZOA Energy, Runa Clean Energy, Celsius, and Juno, offering clean fuel without the typical crash. Key factors are natural ingredients, low sugar/zero sugar, functional ingredients like nootropics (L-theanine), and moderate caffeine levels.
Drink water, tea, or coffee (with little or no sugar). Limit milk/dairy (1-2 servings/day) and juice (1 small glass/day). Avoid sugary drinks. The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better.
Red Bull
The gold standard for energy drinks.
There's no single "number one" unhealthiest soda, as different ones rank poorly for different reasons (sugar, acidity, dyes), but Mountain Dew, Fanta Grape, and orange sodas often top lists due to high sugar, potent citric acid for enamel erosion, and potentially carcinogenic artificial dyes (like Red 40), making them particularly damaging for teeth and overall health, notes this article from Eat This, Not That! and this article from Fowler Orthodontics. Dark sodas (like Coke/Pepsi) are also very unhealthy due to sugar, caffeine, and caramel coloring, while clear sodas (Sprite/7Up) are generally less harmful but still packed with sugar, says this article from MEL Magazine.
Body Armor LYTE
Prime Energy also contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some studies have linked to DNA damage and a leaky gut. Because Prime Energy contains coconut water, people with tree nut allergies may wish to avoid consumption of this product.
Companies that align their strategies with these trends are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for energy-boosting beverages.
Lack of energy is even more concerning among the younger Generation Z and Millennial generations. That is why consumer trends research by Innova Market Insights shows that these younger Gen Z and Millennial consumers have solid and ongoing demand for energy drinks.
Walmart Plus is the megaretailer's online answer to Amazon Prime. Walmart Plus members get free shipping with no order minimum, free same-day delivery from their nearest Walmart location, and tons of other Prime-like perks when shopping online. Try a 30-day free trial or get 50% an annual membership.
There's no single "worst" energy drink, but those high in sugar and caffeine like Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull are often cited due to risks of crashes, weight gain, and potential severe side effects (like seizures or heart issues in extreme cases) from excessive consumption, especially when mixed with alcohol. Drinks like 5-Hour Energy are also flagged for their concentrated stimulant load, despite being sugar-free, and even "healthier" ones still pack high caffeine.
The #1 healthiest water is often considered natural spring water for its essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and natural alkalinity, but filtered tap water is a top contender for convenience, cost, and safety, as it removes contaminants from municipal sources without losing beneficial minerals, making it a great all-around choice for most people. Ultimately, the best water is safe, tastes good, and encourages you to drink enough.
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to Mitchell and others (1945), the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.
There's no single "number 1" healthiest energy drink, as it depends on your needs, but top contenders for healthier options use natural caffeine (green tea, coffee bean), minimal sugar/sweeteners (like stevia), and added benefits (electrolytes, adaptogens), with ZOA, Zevia, Nooma, Celsius, and Mati frequently cited for being cleaner alternatives to traditional drinks by avoiding artificial ingredients and offering functional nutrients.
Here's our list of the worst offenders and why you should steer clear: 1️⃣ Soda-Like Sports Drinks Example: BodyArmor Edge, Monster Hydro Why It's Bad: Loaded with caffeine and sugar, these drinks cause energy spikes followed by crashes. Plus, excessive caffeine can lead to dehydration—a nightmare for athletes.
7 Worst Drinks for Gut Health
1. Olipop. Olipop is a sparkling drink that delivers the sweet fizz of soda but is typically lower in calories and added sugar than traditional soda. It's a strong pick for anyone looking for the healthiest soda option that still feels like a treat.
Fairlife's Core Power protein shakes have been named the unhealthiest bottled beverage in America by food and nutrition magazine.
The top three most popular drinks in the world are tea, coffee, and beer—each enjoyed globally for its unique flavor, cultural significance, and social appeal.
The Yoovidhya family of Thailand owns 51% of Red Bull GmbH, with Chalerm Yoovidhya being the key figure representing the family's majority stake, while the remaining 49% belongs to Mark Mateschitz, the son of late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. This Thai family, who originated the Krating Daeng drink that inspired Red Bull, holds the controlling interest in the global energy drink company.
HIGH5 Energy Drink is a blend of maltodextrin (glucose) and fructose in a scientifically proven ratio of 2:1 designed for fuelling athletes during sport. The benefit of 2:1 Fructose is that the maximum rate at which your body can absorb carbohydrate is increased from 60g per hour to 90g per hour.