Can You Mix Collagen Powder With Gatorade? (Pros & Cons)

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Collagen powder has many benefits; however, the price of reaping these benefits is the undesirable taste that comes along with collagen, which is why I choose to mix it with Gatorade rather than water.

Can you mix collagen powder with Gatorade? Yes, mixing collagen powder with Gatorade is a great option for those who are active because it provides fuel for training sessions and has the potential to improve your joint health.  For those who aren’t active, there are better alternatives to Gatorade for mixing with your collagen.

There are additional benefits that Gatorade brings to the table beyond the benefits of collagen itself, so it’s important to weigh these benefits against the drawbacks to see if it’s a good option for you.

After reading this article you’ll learn:

  • The benefits of mixing collagen with gatorade
  • The drawbacks of mixing collagen with gatorade
  • When to consume collagen and gatorade
  • Who should and should not mix collagen with gatorade

Want to learn all the ways to mix collagen? Check out our complete guide How To Mix Collagen Powder + Tips On Making It Taste Better

Benefits of Mixing Collagen Powder With Gatorade

Pros vs Cons of mixing collagen powder with Gatorade

The benefits of mixing collagen powder with Gatorade are that it: (1) provides electrolytes, and (2) boosts your energy levels.  

1. Provides Electrolytes

One benefit of mixing collagen powder with Gatorade is that it provides you with electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which all work together with water to keep you well-hydrated.

Your electrolyte levels can become depleted if you’re exercising vigorously or just perspiring at a faster rate than normal. Oftentimes, we’re told to just drink water and keep hydrated but if you’re not also consuming electrolytes, then you probably won’t feel any better.

This is because low electrolyte levels can cause muscle weakness, spasms, and cramps which can only be alleviated by replenishing your electrolyte levels.  

By mixing collagen with Gatorade you could keep yourself better hydrated while you’re exercising or when it’s hot outside.

2. Boosts Your Energy Levels

Another benefit to mixing collagen powder with Gatorade is that it boosts your energy levels by supplying you with fast-digesting carbohydrates.

The sugars in Gatorade can enter your bloodstream very quickly because they’re very easy for you to digest, which is why they provide you with energy very quickly.

This is ideal for when you’re working out or you need to recover from a strenuous activity because it will provide you with energy almost instantaneously without causing any digestive issues.

For this reason, if you want to have your collagen before, during, or after your workout then mixing it with Gatorade is a great option.

Drawbacks of Mixing Collagen Powder With Gatorade

There is only one drawback of mixing collagen powder with Gatorade: 

1. Increasing Your Sugar Consumption

The main drawback of mixing collagen powder with Gatorade is that you’re increasing your sugar intake by around 36 grams by mixing your collagen into a bottle of Gatorade (20oz serving).

A high sugar content can be good for those who are very physically active, but for those who aren’t the sugar is probably more detrimental than helpful; especially if you’re mixing your collagen with Gatorade every day.

I would recommend switching up your mixes with sugar-free options so that you’re not consuming as much sugar on a daily basis.

Collagen & Gatorade: When To Consume It

When you’re mixing collagen powder with Gatorade it’s important to know when to consume it because there are times when this combination is better than others.

Is Collagen Mixed With Gatorade Good for Pre-Workout?

Collagen mixed with Gatorade is a fantastic option to have pre-workout because the Gatorade will provide you with the carbs that you need to fuel your workout.

Additionally, having collagen mixed with Gatorade will ensure that you’re well hydrated for your workout, which can help improve your performance while training.

If you’re having this combination more than 2 to 3 hours before your workout then you may want to pair it with a source of protein so that you’re not getting hungry during your training session.

I would pair it with a flavorless whey protein powder like this one, for a liquid pre-workout meal that digests more easily and has a protein content of 25 to 30 grams (depending on the brand of protein you use).

If you’re drinking your collagen and Gatorade mixture sooner than that 2 hour window, then you shouldn’t need a source of protein along with it. But you could choose to add it if you want to take this opportunity to increase your protein intake.

Is Collagen Mixed With Gatorade Good for Post-Workout?

Collagen mixed with Gatorade is also a great option post-workout because the carbs in gatorade wil help to replenish your energy stores which would have been depleted during your workout.

That being said, the collagen and gatorade mixture needs to be paired with a protein source following a workout because protein is what helps to repair the muscle damage that occurred from working out and helps to encourage muscle growth.

The most convenient option would be the protein powder mixed with the collagen and gatorade but you could also have greek yogurt or a different protein source on the side of your collagen and gatorade mixture to get some protein in.

You could also choose to mix your collagen with just greek yogurt instead of the Gatorade.

Is Collagen Mixed With Gatorade Good Before Bed?

Collagen and gatorade before bed isn’t the best option because the sugar content of gatorade could negatively impact your sleep, and therefore isn’t worth taking before bed.

Sleep is incredibly important for your overall health, mood, and recovery so it’s not worth compromising your sleep just to get your collagen in.

If you have to consume your collagen before bed for whatever reason, you should mix it with a sugar-free option so that it doesn’t reduce the quality of your sleep. It could be as simple as mixing it with water and adding a zero calorie water flavoring.

Who Should Mix Collagen Powder With Gatorade?

Those who are more active will benefit the most from mixing collagen powder with Gatorade because they will need more carbs and electrolytes in their diet.

That’s not to say that those who aren’t active can’t mix collagen and Gatorade, but they certainly won’t need the carbs or electrolytes as much as those who are active.

If you’re someone who struggles with staying hydrated and expends a lot of energy throughout the day, then mixing collagen with Gatorade is the perfect option for you.

Who Should Not Mix Collagen Powder With Gatorade?

Most people should be fine to mix collagen powder with Gatorade except for those who are diabetic because the sugar in regular Gatorade would most definitely spike your insulin levels.

For those with diabetes, the regular Gatorade won’t be the best option to mix with your collagen; however, you could buy Gatorade Zero which is a sugar-free version of Gatorade which is a better alternative. 

Will Collagen Dissolve In Gatorade?

Collagen will dissolve in Gatorade if well agitated using a shaker bottle or handheld mixer, but won’t dissolve without clumps if it’s stirred in with a spoon.

This is true for all cold liquids because collagen dissolves the best in hot liquids but I personally wouldn’t want to heat my Gatorade just to get it to dissolve on contact.

For this reason, I recommend mixing collagen and Gatorade in a shaker bottle with a shaker ball or by using a frother.

Best Types of Collagen Powder to Mix With Gatorade

The best collagen powders on the market for mixing with Gatorade are:

Momentous Collagen Peptides

Momentum Collagen Peptides

The best collagen powder on the market is Momentous’s collagen peptides because it mixes well, it has top notch ingredients, and it’s third party tested for quality and label accuracy.

This collagen powder has an impressive forumation because it has a full dose of FORTIGEL, which is a formulation of specific collagen peptides that were specifically grouped together because they have been proven to stimulate collagen synthesis in tendons and ligaments.

CB Supplements Multi Collagen Protein Powder

The second best collagen powder on the market is CB Supplements Multi Collagen Protein Powder because it includes 5 different types of collagen, which is why they’ve named it a “Multi-Collagen Powder”.

The CB brand is the perfect option for those who have food sensitivities or intolerances because it’s free of gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial sweeteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Mix Collagen With Electrolytes?

Yes, mixing collagen with electrolytes is a great option to improve your level of hydration, especially for those who are very active and tend to sweat a lot.

Other Ways to Take Collagen

About The Author

Amanda Parker

Amanda Parker is an author, nutrition coach, and Certified Naturopath.  She works with bodybuilders, Olympic weightlifters, and powerlifters to increase performance through nutrition and lifestyle coaching.

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