Is PRIME Drink Safe? A Dietitian’s Review

If you have kids, you’ve probably heard of PRIME, the new drink brand launched by YouTube star Logan Paul and boxer KSI. The drink was introduced in a series of Super Bowl commercials and has gone viral (which is no surprise based on who created it). It is basically sold out almost everywhere and if you can find it online, it is most likely being sold by a third-party seller at a significantly marked-up price.

So, what is PRIME Drink and is it safe? As a registered dietitian and a mom to three big fans of PRIME, I put together everything you need to know about this new drink brand and what it means for the health and safety of its users.

This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.

The brand, PRIME Drinks, contains two categories: hydration drinks and energy drinks. PRIME Hydration is the brand’s take on the sports drink category whereas PRIME Energy is their line of energy drinks.

PRIME Hydration comes in eight unique flavors and is listed as the official sports drink of the UFC. These sports drinks claim to meet the void between great taste and function by providing a mix of electrolytes, branch chain amino acids (BCAAs), and no added sugar.

Unlike PRIME Hydration which is caffeine-free, PRIME Energy contains a significant source of caffeine… 200mg per serving to be exact. These energy drinks also come in five different flavors and contain only 10 calories per serving. These drink state they are free of sugar, vegan, and provide electrolytes in combination with caffeine to improve energy levels.

One of the claims of PRIME Hydration is that it fills the void in the sports drink category by combining function and taste. And I have to admit, from the flavors I have sampled, they do taste great. But is PRIME a better-for-you hydration drink? Let’s take a look.

When you look at the front label, PRIME Hydration states it is naturally flavored with no artificial colors. However, when you look at the ingredients on the back panel, this might not be entirely accurate. And one reason for this is the inclusion of sucralose as a sweetener. Now, I have nothing against sucralose and consume it myself, but it is not considered a ‘natural’ sweetener. 

It is made from real sugar, but it goes through a chemical process to make it 600 times sweeter than sugar, therefore making it essentially calorie-free.

There is nothing wrong with consuming a sports drink sweetened with sucralose. But, I did find that most people who I spoke to that were drinking PRIME were surprised sucralose was listed as an ingredient when ‘naturally sweetened’ was highlighted on the product packaging. And that is why reading the ingredient list (on any food) is always critical.

To be fair to PRIME, the remainder of the ingredients listed on the hydration drink would in fact be considered ‘natural’ including using fruit and vegetable juices for coloring. Which fruits and vegetables have been used to provide the color, however, is not listed, which may be an area of concern for those with food allergies. If you do have an allergy to a specific fruit or vegetable, I would recommend calling the company directly to learn more about what fruits and vegetables have been used to provide the coloring.

PRIME Hydration states it contains 834mg of electrolytes, 250mg BCAAs, along with B vitamins and antioxidants. The ingredient listed on the product packaging showcases exactly which B vitamins and antioxidants have been included.

A great feature of PRIME Hydration is the low sugar content, which can often be quite high in many sports drinks. One serving (which is one full 16.5-ounce bottle) contains only 25 calories and 2 grams of sugar with no added sugar. The sugar content most likely comes from the coconut water used to create the drink, which is also a rich source of electrolytes.

A unique feature of PRIME Hydration, and probably the reason the brand states it provides great taste and function, is the combination of electrolytes and BCAAs which can promote both hydration and recovery after exercise. Generally, you will find sports drinks focused on hydration or focused on recovery and muscle building, but not a combination of both.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients and claims of PRIME Energy and see how it stacks up against other competitors in the energy drink category.

PRIME Energy states it contains zero sugar, 200mg of caffeine, and 300mg of electrolytes along with being vegan and naturally flavored.

Although the PRIME Drink brand is incredibly popular with kids, the brand does clearly state on its website and on the energy drink label that PRIME Energy is not recommended for children under the age of 18, pregnant or nursing women, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. And this is important because even as a parent (who reads food labels for a living, I accidentally bought my kids the energy drink versus the hydration drink before I knew there was a difference.

PRIME Energy contains added electrolytes and B vitamins, which may give it a leg up against other energy drinks when it comes to sustainable energy. And unlike many energy drinks with large amounts of added sugar, PRIME Energy contains 0 grams of sugar, zero carbohydrates, and only 10 calories.

Although the zero sugar and carbohydrate content of this drink will have no impact on blood sugar levels, the caffeine content may. In some individuals, caffeine can spike blood sugar, so be sure to monitor your response if you choose to try this drink.

Also, since caffeine has a half-life of six to eight hours, be sure to drink this no later than eight hours before bed to prevent sleep interruptions, since poor sleep can also lead to increased blood sugar levels.

Both varieties of PRIME Drinks contain no added sugar. PRIME Hydration contains 2 grams of sugar, which most likely comes from the coconut water that makes up 10% of the product. PRIME Energy contains zero grams of sugar and zero carbohydrates.

Both PRIME Drinks are sweetened with sucralose.

Looking at these drinks, with few carbohydrates and no added sugar, you may think they will have little, if any, impact on blood sugar. But that isn’t the full picture.

PRIME Hydration contains 6 grams of carbohydrate, most of which comes from coconut water. In one serving, this would have a minimal impact on blood sugar, but it is important to consider this if you are counting carbohydrates at your meals.

Although PRIME Energy contains zero carbohydrates, the caffeine content in the drink may spike blood sugar in some individuals.

Many studies have shown that in people with diabetes, caffeine consumption can increase blood glucose levels and further impair insulin sensitivity, leading to increased insulin resistance.  Although others can safely tolerate up to 400mg per day. For this reason, it is important to test blood sugar levels frequently to monitor your response to caffeine.

The answer to this question comes down to which PRIME Drink you choose. PRIME Energy is not meant for children under the age of 18 due to the high caffeine content. This is especially important to note since excessive caffeine intake in children can be dangerous, and even deadly, in large amounts.

When it comes to PRIME Hydration, as a registered dietitian and a mom, I appreciate that there are no artificial colors in this sports beverage. However, some parents may be hesitant to provide sucralose-sweetened beverages to their children (although many sports drinks are sweetened this way).

Since both PRIME Drinks contain added electrolytes and B vitamins, I would discuss if these drinks are appropriate with your child’s physician and registered dietitian first, to ensure they are not exceeding the upper tolerable limit (UTL) of these nutrients each day.

If you are in the market for an energy drink or a sports beverage, the PRIME line of drinks is on par with many others in this category. The low sugar and calorie content as well as the avoidance of artificial colors gives it a leg up against some competitors. However, for those looking for a beverage that is sweetened 100% naturally, it is important to note PRIME does list sucralose on its ingredient list.

Sucralose has been generally recognized as safe and will not impact blood sugar or insulin levels. As a registered dietitian, I would feel comfortable consuming a sucralose-sweetened beverage, but that choice is up to the consumer.

The biggest downside to PRIME is the high demand is leading to shortages and third-party-seller price markups. But if you can find it and you enjoy the taste, this beverage line can meet the needs of those looking for a hydration and recovery drink or those looking for a low-sugar energy drink.