Also referred to as a sports drink, Gatorade is an electrolyte-rich drink that provides energy and hydration.
If you want to learn everything there is to know about this drink, including how to store it, how long it lasts, and how to detect if it’s bad, this article is for you.
How to Preserve Gatorade?
Whenever you buy your Gatorade in bulk, make sure that you store them well. If you intend to use the pantry, keep them in a cool place away from any heat source and in a dry place away from moisture.
High temperatures tend to it affect the drink because plastic nanoparticles will be discharged into Gatorade. After all, it comes in a recyclable plastic bottle. Consequently, the drink’s ingredients may endanger your health. It should also be stored in a dark place with a temperature of about 68F to hold its best flavor and taste.
Refrigerate your Gatorade before using it since it does not taste good when lukewarm. Chill the Gatorade in the fridge for one hour before drinking it to achieve the most refreshing benefit.
Is It Possible for Gatorade to be Frozen?
Yes, it is possible to freeze your Gatorade, but manufacturers do not recommend it. It’s not that freezing interferes with the nutritional value of Gatorade, but it alters the original taste of Gatorade. If you want your Gatorade colder, you can add ice cubes or slightly refrigerate it.
How Long can Gatorade Last?
If you don’t want the Gatorade to decarbonate and lose its flavor, make sure to cool or refrigerate the bottle after opening.
Gatorade bottles that haven’t been opened can stay fresh for 1-3 years after their “best before” dates if kept in a cold, dry location in the pantry. They can also stay fresh for the same period of time if kept in the refrigerator. However, because you don’t know how long they have been sitting on the supermarket shelves, it is advisable that you don’t put them in storage for an extended period of time.
Gatorade should only be kept in the pantry for 6–12 hours after it has been opened; in the refrigerator, it can be kept for 3–5 days.
In the refrigerator, homemade Gatorade only keeps for about 4 days. After two years, powdered Gatorade mix should not be consumed.
How Can You Determine if Your Gatorade is Bad?
Determining whether or not your Gatorade is safe for consumption is very easy. If it’s not fit for consumption, you’ll notice the following warning signs:
- Change in color – Different Gatorades have different colors depending on the flavor. So, if you start to notice a different color from its original, the drink is spoiled, and you should consider discarding it.
- Presence of a residue – If you keep your Gatorade in the fridge for longer than you should, or if it’s been left in the pantry for way too long, then you’ll notice sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This is an indicator that Gatorade is likely to be spoiled.
- Change in smell – If the smell of the drink is foul, bitter, and sour, then it is not safe for consumption.
- Change in taste – If you have tried the above methods and you’re still not convinced, consider tasting the drink. If it is bitter or tastes utterly different from the drink’s flavor, it is already spoiled.
In conclusion, Gatorade is a great refreshing energy drink, especially for athletes. You should, however, not consume it in large amounts or when expired as it may be hazardous to your health.