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Gatorade should be used before the best before date, just like other electrolyte drinks, according to the FDA. Gatorade does not have an expiration date, but it is recommended that it be used by the mentioned date of best use. As indicated on the bottle label, the date refers to the period during which the manufacturer believes the product is at its best.
Gatorade can remain good at room temperature for years, so you don’t need to worry about unopened bottles in the pantry. When Gatorade is not stored properly after opening, bacteria can grow, resulting in it going bad.
What Is Gatorade?
Gatorade is a type of sports drink. This is seen in almost every sports match, and it is common in everyday life as well. The combination of minerals and sugar helps to rejuvenate the body after stress or exercise.
Gatorade is an electrolyte-rich drink that prevents tiredness and dehydration caused by sweating and overtime. Therefore, Gatorade provides excellent electrolytes for athletes or people who are physically active. In addition, Gatorade contains a substantial amount of sugar, which replenishes the energy lost due to physical activity.
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What Is The Shelf Life Of Gatorade?
The shelf life of unopened Gatorade is about nine months past the written date. The shelf life of the bottle in the refrigerator decreases to about 5 days after opening.
The Expiration life of powdered Gatorade mix is about two years past the label date if the container is unopened. You should use the product within six months for the best results after opening it. Once opened, the product will degrade in quality.
After combining the powder with water to make a drink, it is advisable to store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and to consume it within five days.
Does Gatorade Go Bad?
After a hard workout or a hard day working outside, Gatorade is great for replacing electrolytes. When you drink Gatorade for a long time, you’ve probably noticed the date on the side.
A bottle of Gatorade doesn’t expire at the date on the side of the bottle because the beverage is shelf-stable.
Gatorade’s makers state, “If the bottle appears tightly sealed and has no visible discoloration or odor when opened, there is no reason to not drink it beyond the recommended use date on the neck of the bottle.”
The date on the Gatorade bottle is not an expiration date, but rather a best by date.
How To Tell If Gatorade Is Bad
If you open a Gatorade bottle and do not drink it in a week, it will go bad, even if stored in the fridge. Gatorade powder will also spoil over time. Fortunately, several indicators can show you when it’s time to toss the bottle
Color
The color of Gatorade depends on the flavor. For example, you can choose pink, light blue, or white. Regardless of which energy drink you prefer, a change in color signals a change in the formula of Gatorade.
The color of your drink can suddenly change or fade away. Either way, you should spill the liquid and discard the glass bottle.
Sediment
Over time, you may notice residue at the bottom of a Gatorade bottle when you keep it in the pantry. Meanwhile, sediment in the open bottle stored in the fridge is an indication that you don’t need to drink it.
If you shake the bottle again, you may be able to dissolve the deposits again, but you will have to wait sometime before using it. It is an indication that your drink has spoiled when the undissolved mass appears at the bottom after a few minutes.
Smell
Gatorade generally smells of fruits like lemons or mangoes. Once the rim of the bottle begins to smell rancid or moldy, you should throw it away. The odor of your drink indicates that it has been spoiled, and is unsafe to consume. Bad Gatorade has a sulfurous smell that some reviewers compare to rotten eggs.
Taste
Taking a sip of the Gatorade will determine its quality if it looks unchanged. Drinking beverages from a bottle or putting them in a glass makes no difference. You will experience a bitter taste instead of a sweet fruity taste if the Gatorade has gone bad.
Mold And Lumps
Protein powder and Gatorade drinks are both susceptible to contamination with bacteria. The presence of green or black dots indicates the presence of mold. You should throw out the bottle immediately if it appears to have lumps or floating materials in it. Bad Gatorade can cause nausea and stomach problems.
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What Is The Best Way To Store Gatorade
The best place to store Gatorade bottles, and other sports drinks, is in a cool, dark, dry place away from moisture and heat. Keeping Gatorade bottles that have not been opened in your pantry or cellar will help keep them fresh.
The shelf life of unopened Gatorade bottles will not be significantly extended by storing them in the refrigerator. Similarly, freezing bottled Gatorade will not significantly extend its shelf life, and the process of freezing could break the bottle.
The bottle should be kept in the refrigerator and tightly sealed once it has been opened.
Ensure that powdered Gatorade not yet opened is kept in a cool, dark environment away from light, heat, and moisture.
After you open the container, the product starts to slowly degrade. Even though the plastic container has a lid to prevent insects from getting in, some moisture from the air might still contaminate it.
In order to extend the shelf life of powdered Gatorade, you can store it in an airtight container, such as a glass jar. The drink powder will remain clump-free with oxygen absorbers or food-grade desiccant packets.
Also, heavy-duty freezer bags with oxygen absorbers will help keep powder fresh and can be useful when camping for several days. At home, that’s excessive.
Conclusion
Drinking Gatorade after the expiration date on the label is safe, as it has a long shelf life. If you open a bottle, you should store it in the refrigerator. Sports or physically strenuous activities require a drink that is refreshing and healthy, but excessive drinking can cause health problems. So make sure you consume Gatorade moderately.
