What Is Prime Hydration Made Of? An In-Depth Look at the Ingredients

November 14, 2025 •

4 min read

With more than 700 mg of potassium in each bottle, there is more to the story of what is Prime Hydration made of than just water. This sports drink, backed by internet personalities Logan Paul and KSI, combines filtered water, coconut water concentrate, electrolytes, and other additives to deliver its distinct flavor and function.

Quick Summary

Prime Hydration primarily contains filtered water, 10% coconut water concentrate, electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, BCAAs, B vitamins, and artificial sweeteners. The product is caffeine-free and low-calorie, distinguishing it from the Prime Energy line.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Prime Hydration is primarily made of filtered water, 10% coconut water concentrate, electrolytes (potassium, magnesium), and BCAAs.
Zero Added Sugar: It uses artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium instead of sugar, resulting in a low-calorie drink.
Electrolyte Profile: The formula features a high dose of potassium and magnesium but a very low level of sodium, which is not ideal for intense, sweat-heavy workouts.
Added Vitamins: Each bottle contains high levels of B vitamins (B6, B12) and moderate amounts of vitamins A and E.
Functional Additives: It includes Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) for perceived muscle recovery benefits, although their effectiveness is debated by nutritionists.
Not an Energy Drink: Prime Hydration is caffeine-free and should not be confused with the high-caffeine Prime Energy product.
Controversies: The drink has been subject to lawsuits and scrutiny over ingredients like potential PFAS chemicals in some flavors and misleading labeling.

Core Ingredients of Prime Hydration

At its foundation, Prime Hydration is a blend of filtered water and coconut water, designed to serve as a hydrating beverage with added functional ingredients. The ingredient list is consistent across flavors, though some variation exists in coloring agents and natural flavor profiles.

Primary Composition

Filtered Water: The base of the beverage, providing the necessary fluid for hydration.
Coconut Water from Concentrate: Constitutes 10% of the drink, contributing to its electrolyte content and flavor. Coconut water naturally contains potassium, which is a key feature of Prime's formula.
Electrolytes: The drink includes key electrolytes to help replenish minerals lost through sweat. The formula is particularly high in potassium (700mg per 500ml) and contains magnesium (around 124mg per 500ml), but is notably low in sodium (10mg) compared to traditional sports drinks.

Supplemental Vitamins and Amino Acids

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs): Prime includes a BCAA blend consisting of L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine, and L-Valine. BCAAs are marketed for muscle recovery and repair, although experts debate their necessity when adequate protein is consumed through diet.
Vitamins: The drink is fortified with several vitamins in varying concentrations depending on flavor and region. Key vitamins often include high levels of B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) and B12 (Cyanocobalamin), as well as Vitamins A (Retinyl Palmitate) and E (D-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate).

Flavoring and Additives

Artificial Sweeteners: Prime Hydration is sweetened with Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) instead of added sugar. This makes it a low-calorie drink with a sweet flavor profile. Critics have raised concerns about the potential effects of these artificial sweeteners on gut health and taste preferences.
Citric Acid: A common food additive used to preserve the drink and add a tart, citrusy flavor.
Natural Flavors: These are complex, proprietary blends used to create each unique Prime flavor, and their exact composition is not fully transparent.
Other Ingredients: Additives like Gum Arabic, Ester Gum, and coloring agents from natural sources (like fruit and vegetable juice or beta-carotene) are also included.

Comparison: Prime Hydration vs. Gatorade

For those evaluating their sports drink options, comparing Prime with a long-established competitor like Gatorade is useful. Here is a breakdown of their key nutritional differences.


Feature	Prime Hydration (approx. per 500ml)	Gatorade (approx. per 591ml)
Calories	20–25 kcal	130 kcal
Sugar	2g total sugar, 0g added sugar	34g+ added sugar
Sodium	10mg	228mg
Potassium	700mg	63mg
BCAAs	Yes, 250mg	No
Artificial Sweeteners	Yes (Sucralose, Acesulfame K)	No, uses sugar
Core Purpose	Daily/Moderate Hydration	Intense Exercise Performance

Concerns and Considerations

Despite its viral success, Prime Hydration has faced some scrutiny regarding its ingredients and marketing.

Electrolyte Imbalance: The low sodium and high potassium ratio is not considered optimal for athletes engaged in prolonged, strenuous exercise where significant sodium is lost through sweat.
High Vitamin Content: Some flavors can contain high percentages of the daily recommended value for certain vitamins, like B6 and B12. While not immediately harmful, excessive vitamin intake is generally unnecessary for individuals with a balanced diet.
Forever Chemicals (PFAS): A 2023 class action lawsuit alleged that the grape flavor of Prime Hydration contained potentially harmful PFAS chemicals. Prime's founders challenged the claim, citing differences in testing methods and detection limits, though the lawsuit still brought significant negative attention to the brand.
Artificial Additives: The use of artificial sweeteners and natural flavors raises concerns for consumers seeking more natural or less-processed options.

Final Takeaway

In conclusion, Prime Hydration is a zero-sugar, low-calorie beverage designed for casual and moderate hydration rather than intense athletic performance. Its key ingredients include water, coconut water, a potent electrolyte mix high in potassium, added vitamins, and BCAAs. While its bold flavors and influencer marketing have driven its popularity, consumers should be mindful of its specific ingredient profile, particularly its low sodium content and reliance on artificial sweeteners. For most people, plain water and a balanced diet remain the gold standard for hydration and nutrient intake. However, for those seeking a sweet, low-sugar beverage, Prime Hydration offers a functional option, as long as it's consumed in moderation.

For more information on the potential impacts of artificial sweeteners, visit this resource: Consensus on artificial sweeteners.

Prime Hydration: A Closer Look at the Recipe

When you pick up a bottle of Prime Hydration, you're not just getting filtered water. The formula includes a number of additional components designed to enhance hydration and taste. Here is a concise list of the typical ingredients found in most flavors:

Filtered Water
Coconut Water Concentrate
Citric Acid
Dipotassium Phosphate (Electrolyte)
Trimagnesium Citrate (Electrolyte)
Sucralose (Artificial Sweetener)
Acesulfame Potassium (Artificial Sweetener)
L-Isoleucine (BCAA)
L-Leucine (BCAA)
L-Valine (BCAA)
Vitamins A, B6, B12, and E
Natural Flavors
Coloring Agents (e.g., Beta-Carotene, Vegetable Juice)

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Prime Hydration does not contain caffeine. The caffeine is found exclusively in the Prime Energy line, which comes in cans, while Prime Hydration is sold in bottles.

Prime Hydration contains 10% coconut water from concentrate, which contributes to its electrolyte content and unique flavor profile.

Prime Hydration contains potassium and magnesium, but notably has very low levels of sodium. This unbalanced electrolyte profile is different from traditional sports drinks.

Prime Hydration contains zero added sugar. It is sweetened using artificial sweeteners, specifically sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

While it can provide hydration, its low sodium content makes it less than ideal for intense, prolonged workouts where athletes lose significant amounts of sodium through sweat. For general, moderate hydration, it can be a decent choice.

The Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are included for muscle recovery, but many nutritionists argue that individuals with sufficient protein in their diet receive no additional benefit from supplemental BCAAs.

Experts have raised concerns about the high vitamin content and unbalanced electrolytes in Prime Hydration, which are formulated for adults. For children, excessive intake of certain vitamins can be problematic, and plain water is a better source of hydration.

Prime Hydration is caffeine-free and comes in a bottle for general hydration and recovery. Prime Energy is a separate product sold in cans that contains 200mg of caffeine and is not recommended for children.