Is Banana Water the Next Big Sports Drink? Let’s Peel Back the Hype.

4 min read

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  Banana water is a new product being marketed as an alternative sports drink.
  
• Registered dietitians say banana water can offer people a creative way to stay hydrated.
• There are concerns of missing nutrients in banana water that would normally be found in traditional sports drink and in the fruit itself.

IF TRADITIONAL SPORTS drinks aren’t your favorites, there’s a new option being shopped around as the next best thing in performance hydration: banana water.

Many people are trying banana water out of curiosity with some mixed reactions. One TikTok poster called banana water “surprisingly yummy,” while another said they’re “so confused” as to how you get liquid from a banana. (Honestly, same). Another TikTok user says he “wasn’t expecting that,” while checking out the murky liquid that came out of his banana water can.

Despite some mixed first impressions, one question remains. Is it worth it? Currently, banana water products are being branded as a sports drink jam packed with nutrients and electrolytes. They are angling themselves as an organic alternative, possibly usurping the reign of coconut water.

Considering how much questionable stuff people have put in their mouths for the sake of health, MH turned to several dietitians to understand what’s so a-peeling about this new drink fad.

First, What’s in Banana Water?

Right now, there’s two major players in the banana water field: Woodstock and Banagua. Both say their banana water only contains organic bananas, so there’s nothing added to this drink. Yes, no added water.

Woodstock calls its canned beverage “an alternative to sports drinks and coconut water, with natural source of electrolytes and 0 grams added sugar.” Banagua emphasizes the “electrolytes from nature” in its drink. Each banana water can contains two bananas.

Now the million dollar question–how the heck do you get liquid from a banana?

Banagua breaks down the manufacturing process online. After the bananas are harvested, they’re steamed and mashed to release liquid. “Using a cutting-edge, high-integrity extraction process (think next-gen juicing), we preserve the natural electrolytes, vitamins, and subtle sweetness that make bananas so powerful,” the website reads. After that, the drink is pasteurized and sealed in aluminum cans.

Are There any Benefits Behind Banana Water?

Banana water is essentially another delivery system for a banana, while offering some hydration. “Banana water’s main upside is that the mild flavor can make it easier for people to drink more fluid, which is often the biggest limiter of good hydration,” explains Scott Keatley, RD, registered dietitian and co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Banagua contains 330 milligrams of potassium (an electrolyte), along with 13 grams of carbohydrates and 50 calories. Woodstock’s banana water comes in a slightly larger can. It delivers 450 milligrams of potassium, 315 milligrams of magnesium, and 80 calories.

Those carbs “can provide a bit of quick energy during or after exercise,” Keatley adds.

Still, Dietitians are Split Over Banana Water

While you can get carbs and some electrolytes from banana water, “I don’t think it’s the best source for those electrolytes,” says Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, registered dietitian and co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab.

Another concern Matheny voices is that these drinks don’t contain sodium. Sodium is important for maintaining fluid and blood volume in the body, which is important for someone who’s actively sweating. For context, he explains that coconut water contains some sodium, while sports drinks like Gatorade offer significant amounts.

Also, Keatley notes banana water also misses out on some nutrients you would get from tossing back a piece of fruit. A standard banana contains more than 2 grams of fiber, while banana water has none. A single banana also contains 456 milligrams of potassium, which dietitians note is more than you’d get with banana water.

“Most of the time, it makes more sense to just eat the banana,” Keatley says. “You get predictable carbohydrate for energy, fiber, and a meaningful amount of potassium, and you can pair it with plain water.” He points out that you can add sodium to the mix, too, if you need it.

Dietitians Warn Against Relying on Banana Water as a Sports Drink

Because of the lack of electrolytes like sodium, Keatley says this is a trend with very little backing. He even calls it a “stretch” to call banana water a sports drink. “What matters for performance hydration is the actual formula: Enough sodium to replace sweat losses and enough carbohydrate to support longer or harder sessions,” he says.

“The marketing can mislead people into thinking ‘natural electrolytes’ equals ‘sports drink,’ ” Keatley adds. “If someone relies on it during long runs or hard workouts, they can end up under-fueling and under-replacing electrolytes, which increases the risk of cramping, GI upset, or just hitting the wall.”

Ultimately, dietitians aren’t going too bananas for this. Banana water might be a refreshing alternative to water but if you’re looking to refuel, you’re better off eating the actual fruit.