We made Greater Than because we wanted a healthy alternative to uber-popular sports drinks that we would see in gyms and sidelines all across the nation. We wanted to create a drink that would not only hydrate - but also be a partner in your healthy lifestyle.
I canโt begin to tell you the amount of times that we would see someone finish up a workout and throw away half of the effort by taking down a whole sports drink thatโs flavor is literally a color.
We wanted to not just give athletes a chance to enjoy a delicious beverage, but create a drink that is an escape from the usual drinks that are loaded with all sorts of unhealthy ingredients. But we know that these unhealthy ingredients exist in many more places than just neon-colored sports drinks. Theyโre all on your grocery store shelves, and probably in your fridge! Here are a few ingredients that you should absolutely say NO to on your quest to become Greater Than.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose Corn Syrup has been public enemy number one for a while now - it doesnโt help that is is just so hard to avoid. A quick glance at the ingredients portion of some of your favorite snacks or beverages will more than likely greet you to this four-word villain. What makes fructose tricky is that only liver cells can break down fructose which can create triglycerides, uric acid and free radicals within your body.
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Benzoate can be a scary ingredient. It is used in a large variety of soft drinks, foods, and condiments. Most people will not have an adverse reaction to sodium benzoate unless they have an allergic reaction. The problem is that sodium benzoate can be a catalyst in forming benzene in your body. Benzene is a chemical that has been linked to, โIncreased risk of leukemia and other blood cancers.โ
Blue, Green, Red, Yellow
This is one that I would hope goes without saying. There is nothing natural about an ingredient in your food that is a color. These brightly colored foods may look fun and will no doubt act as a magnet to your little ones - but did you know that these artificial dyes may increase the risk of hyperactivity in children? A study from The National Library of Medicine National Institutes of health even linked these artificial dyes to some cancers.
Artificial Sweeteners
Many people see artificial sweeteners as an easy way to cut out sugars from their life. If you hold a can of regular soda next to a diet soda - itโs hard not agree! The number next to zero calories which is usually in the triple digits magically reads zero. If used effectively - artificial sweeteners could be a gateway to assistance if you are trying to shed some pounds - but they do have adverse side effects. Dr. David Ludwig of Harvard-affiliated Boston Childrenโs Hospital explains some of them. Increased ingestion of artificial sweeteners can change the way that users can taste food by overstimulating sugar receptors. It, โCan make you shun healthy, filling, and highly nutritious foods while consuming more artificially flavored foods with less nutritional value.โ
Sodium Nitrate
This preservative can be seen in popular processed meats across the board. It is used in processed meats like bacon, jerky and lunch meats. According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. of the Mayo Clinic - sodium nitrate may damage blood levels by hardening and narrowing arteries. The additional nitrates can also change how your body uses sugar, making it easier to develop diabetes. Combine this with the high amounts of sodium and saturated fat in most of these meats, and you have one big no-no.
Whether you are looking at the label of your favorite sports drink or analyzing ingredients to make dinner with - make sure that none of these ingredients are a part of it. Rest assured that Greater Than will always be void of these ingredients. Thatโs a promise.