Does Gatorade Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

Sports drinks have a lot of fans. Some people use it because they need some extra energy for the night. Others need a little buzz for their all-nighters before the exam.

Gatorade is one of these drinks that can help you either way. With its electrolyte that replenishes the one we lose due to heat, it’s no surprise that people use it in the sports to hydrate quickly and efficiently.

But let’s assume there was a sale on sports drinks, you grabbed all you can get from the shelves, and went home happily and smoothly.

You are then stuck with an important question: Does Gatorade go bad? and here you are on google searching for answers and stumbling upon this article.

So, not to waste more time, let’s answer this question.

Does Gatorade Go Bad?

You might get the feeling that perhaps Gatorade doesn’t go bad cause it’s made of water, right? Well, water is an ingredient, but it’s not the full story.

The reason for that is because Gatorade has plenty of other ingredients. such as sugar and food coloring, which all makes it go bad just like Kahlua does.

So, the answer is Yes, Gatorade does go bad indeed. and this is why learning proper storage and shelf life can help you know when it does.

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How Long Does Gatorade Last?

To answer this question, we have first to understand the different types of products that sell under the name of the brand.

There are mainly two types:

The liquid Gatorade which is ready to drink, and the powder mix that can be added to water to create your favorite sports drink, the difference is highlighted by Gatorade FAQ on their website. but let’s delve into the important part.

For the powder, the answer is quite simple, it can last for a really long time, around 2 years beyond the expiration date on the package, assuming that the package hasn’t been opened of course.

Once you mix the powder with your drink tho, and it will last a mere 5 days, and it should be stored in the refrigerator to ensure the quality of it.

For the bottles, you can expect a slightly shorter shelf life, 9 months beyond the expiration date to be exact.

Yet, it can last even more than that, even years beyond the expiry date. but let’s be real, it won’t taste as good, or even worth drinking at that point.

Once the bottle is opened, and you have five days if you want to consume it, that’s of course if you keep it in the fridge.

If you are not a fan of the chilled Gatorade, a day is your best bet at room temperature.

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Gatorade Shelf Life [Full Chart]

How to Store Gatorade?

Now that we have explained How long does Gatorade lasts, it’s time to explain how to store it properly, so it can stay for as long as possible.

Gatorade bottles should be stored in a cool and dark place. the pantry and the cellar are good places for the storage of unopened bottles of your favorite sports drink.

Opened bottles are slightly more delicate, and a fridge is a necessity in its storage. Also, sealing it tightly is immensely important to keep it safe to drink, otherwise, it can get contaminated due to air and bacteria.

Powdered Gatorade mix is a different story. The storage of unopened packages is easy, the pantry or the cellar works. Any place that is away from moisture is virtually excellent for the mix.

However, once the package is opened, the degradation of the product will start. Moisture is merciless to dried products such as the powder, and even the original container is not enough.

This is why you should transfer the product to a jar or something that’s dry and well-sealed from the moisture. an airtight container can come in handy here to keep the moisture away.

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How to Tell If Gatorade Has Gone Bad?

Now to the important part, How you can know if the Gatorade you have is spoiled? Well, it’s not really easy to do so.

First of all, it’s quite rare for a sports drink to cause any sort of danger if it’s spoiled. This is because they go bad slowly, and even when they do, the compounds that are in the container aren’t toxic.

However, take note of these hints when consuming your sports drink:

Looks

Your drink should be liquid, so, if you see anything other than liquid, perhaps it has seen better days.

The Gatorade by time may start clumping and forming some sort of solid.

This is not a good sign, and maybe you should discard the drink to be safe.

Smell

Your drink shouldn’t smell off, or nasty. a sign of a nasty drink is a sign of spoilage, and throwing it away sounds like the right option.

Taste

Why drink a Gatorade that tastes bad? Take a small sip, if it tastes weird or funky, then perhaps drinking it isn’t the safest idea.

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Wrapping Up

Sports drinks are amazing and Gatorade can be refreshing after a long day of exercising. You should make sure you know How long does Gatorade last, as well as if it goes bad or not.

Proper storage is key to shelf life, and knowing the signs of spoilage can make it safe better than sorry. If you have any questions, leave it for us in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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