Is Body Armor Good for You (Nutrition Pros and Cons)?
In this blog post, we’ll review the question of whether or not Body Armor sports drinks are good for you or not? Find out what this product’s nutrition pros and cons are and what other options you may wish to consider.
Body Armor Drinks Facts
Body Armor manufactures hydrating sports drinks that don’t contain any artificial ingredients.
The company was launched in 2011 by Mike Repole. Mike had a goal to create premium sports water for people who are on the move and need an extra boost and extra hydration.
There are four main Bodyarmor sports drink products in a variety of flavors:
- Body Armor Sports Drink (in flavors like Strawberry Banana and Fruit Punch)
- LYTE Sports Drink
- EDGE Sports Drink
- Body Armor SportWater
Body Armor LYTE has the same ingredients as Body Armor Sports Drink but without the added sugar. This drink only has 20 calories per bottle.
EDGE has added caffeine for an energy boost. SportWater, made from reverse osmosis water, has a performance pH of 9+ and electrolytes.
In 2021, The Coca-Cola Company acquired Body Armor.
Body Armor Sports Drink Main Ingredients
BodyArmor sports drink typically contains the following ingredients:
- Water
- Pure cane sugar
- Coconut water concentrate
- Citric acid
- Dipotassium phosphate (electrolyte)
- Vegetable juice (for color)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Magnesium oxide (electrolyte)
- Natural flavors
- Calcium D-pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Body Armor Sports Drink, LYTE, and EDGE contain electrolytes, coconut water, and antioxidants.
They are high in potassium and low in sodium. Body Armor SportsWater contains reverse osmosis water (see the benefits of RO water), potassium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride.
Here is some more detailed information about the main ingredients found in Body Armor Sports Drink, LYTE, and Bodyarmor EDGE so you can decide how they might impact your health.
Coconut Water
This is the liquid inside young, green coconuts. It helps nourish the fruit as it matures and is naturally sweet, hydrating, and loaded with electrolytes, essential nutrients, and minerals.
Coconut water has many potential health benefits. It may help prevent heart disease, improve kidney health, moderate blood sugar, and keep you hydrated while leading an active lifestyle.
It’s a good choice for energy drinks as it offers superior hydration without too much sugar.
Cane Sugar
Cane sugar is made from sugar cane, unlike granulated sugar, which may come from sugar beets or sugar cane. Cane sugar is considered a natural sweetener and a slightly less processed form of sugar, but still processed.
When you eat it in moderation, pure cane sugar has some health benefits including quick energy for physical activity.
However, there are also many potentially harmful effects of eating sugar in excess, including weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, dental cavities, and many more. People who have health issues such as blood sugar issues are generally advised to avoid foods or beverages with a high sugar content.
Dipotassium Phosphate (Electrolyte)
Dipotassium phosphate is a fast and convenient source of potassium for most people.
It helps the body produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is a molecule that energizes your body. Dipotassium phosphate can improve muscle recovery and endurance in athletes and may help preserve bone mineral density. It also helps prevent the risk of stroke and kidney stones and lowers blood pressure.
You’ll find potassium in foods like bananas, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, black beans, white beans, butternut squash, and Swiss chard. Getting nutrients from real foods is generally always a healthier option.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Ascorbic Acid is vitamin C. It is an essential vitamin, which means your body can’t produce it independently. It helps strengthen our immune system, improves iron absorption, and can help moderate blood pressure.
You’ll find vitamin C in foods like citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, pineapple, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe.
Erythritol
Body Armor LYTE drinks don’t contain any sugar. Instead, they are sweetened with this ingredient.
Erythritol can act as an antioxidant and may help people with type 2 diabetes because it can improve blood vessel production.
Sugar alcohols like erythritol can cause digestive upsets like nausea, bloating, cramps, or diarrhea for some people. Additionally, there is some research showing that erythritol in high amounts may cause cardiovascular events.
Nutrition Pros
Body Armor does not contain any artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes.
The ingredients are gluten-free, soy-free, kosher, vegan, and natural. Body Armor drinks are colored with natural sources like fruits, vegetables, and vitamins like Beta Carotene.
They’re flavored with natural fruit flavors.
Nutrition Cons
Although all the ingredients in Body Armor are essentially natural, some of the products are made with a decent amount of sugar.
Body Armor also contains B vitamins, like vitamin B3 (Niacinamide,) vitamin B9 (Folic Acid,) vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate,) vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,) and vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin.)
Many people are sensitive to B vitamins, which can cause side effects, including:
- Too much vitamin B6 can cause a loss of feeling in the arms and legs.
- Vitamin B9 can hide the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency and eventually lead to nervous system damage.
- Too much vitamin B9 can cause uncomfortable skin flushes. If you take too much of it over the long term, it can even cause liver damage.
Another potential downside to Body Armor is that the LYTE drinks contain erythritol, which can cause digestive upset and other potentially negative health effects.
Body Armor drinks are manufactured in plastic bottles, which is not an environmentally-friendly type of packaging.
You may like to read my review of Blk Water as well.
FAQs
Body Armor may be a better choice than many other packaged sports drinks. However, making homemade sports drinks with real food ingredients is always best. Homemade sports drinks give you control over the ingredients (including the amount of sugar), and it’s healthier and more cost-effective.
Body Armor may be considered a little healthier than Gatorade and other similar traditional sports drinks. It doesn’t contain any artificial colors and is made with coconut water and natural flavors. The BodyArmor LYTE contains zero-calorie sweeteners like erythritol and stevia instead of artificial sweeteners in Gatorade Zero.
However, other Body Armor drinks still have a similar amount of processed sugar as Gatorade, making it high in calories.
Yes, most kids can drink Body Armor Sports Drink and Body Armor LYTE. But, speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions. Both are free from gluten, dairy, soy, artificial flavors and colors, and caffeine.
Body Armor EDGE is not recommended for children because it contains caffeine. Coconut water concentrate mixed with water would be a good option.
You can have Body Armor when you’re sick, but it’s not particularly beneficial.
Some people believe that sports drinks are good for replacing electrolytes when you’re sick, but in most cases, plain water should be your main drink, or you can make an electrolyte mix at home. It can be as effective but with less added sugar.
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Conclusions
Body Armor drinks are made from natural ingredients and are gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and kosher. However, they contain sugar and B vitamins, and other ingredients that some people are sensitive to. Body Armor drinks are packaged in plastic bottles, which is not ideal for the environment.
Making a hydrating sports drink at home is easy and inexpensive. This DIY electrolyte recipe uses real food ingredients with just water, lemon juice, salt, and honey. You can omit the sugar and use your own reusable container for drinking it.
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
