5 Reasons to Put Down the Gatorade and Pick Up the OJ Post-Workout

5 Reasons to Put Down the Gatorade and Pick Up the OJ Post-Workout

Uncle Matt's Organic

August 17, 2023

Citrus Health Benefits, Why Go Organic?

Orange Gatorade (12oz) vs. Uncle Matt’s Orange Juice (12oz)

Move over, Gatorade! Uncle Matt’s Organic 100% orange juice is a serious contender for THE best post-workout recovery drink. With more potassium, beneficial B vitamins, vitamin C, and naturally-occurring fruit sugar per 12 ounce serving, Uncle Matt’s Organic 100% not-from-concentrate orange juice is a great stand-alone recovery drink after a hard workout or the perfect smoothie-base with a protein advantage.

Here’s the play-by-play broken down that demonstrates how Uncle Matt’s is the clear winner:

1. MORE POTASSIUM PER SERVING

Uncle Matt’s OJ has 13.5x more potassium than orange flavored Gatorade per 12 ounce serving. Why is that important? Potassium is an electrolyte that helps lower pH levels in your body along with the amount of water you store. High body temps, sweating and dehydration during exercise deplete potassium and can lead to cramps. So, replenishing your potassium stores post-workout is super-important; both to restore the electrolytes your body needs to perform and prevent cramping. In fact, the Florida Department of Citrus also touts orange juice as a healthy option for a post-workout recovery drink.

Winner: Uncle Matt’s

2. BENEFICIAL B VITAMINS

Without adequate amounts of B vitamins such as thiamine, niacin, and B6, you can’t properly convert carbohydrates, fat and protein into energy. B vitamins act as metabolic enzyme assistants, initiating certain steps in the metabolic process. In other words, they help your body regain energy after exercising. So, when it comes to Recommended Daily Allowances of B Vitamins in 12 ounces of these two beverages: Uncle Matt’s 15%, Gatorade 0%.

Winner: Uncle Matt’s

3. CORTISOL-LOWERING VITAMIN C 

Studies show that taking vitamin C pre- or post-workout can minimize the catabolic stress response and speed recovery. Also, vitamin C can help lower cortisol after the workout, offsetting its detrimental effects. Check out Eat This, Not That’s list of foods with significant vitamin C (and scroll to #19!). Twelve ounces of Uncle Matt’s Organic orange juice provides 150% of the vitamin C you need for the day. Gatorade? Zero.

Winner: Uncle Matt’s

4. THE NATURAL SUGAR ADVANTAGE

What a lot of people don’t realize is that Uncle Matt’s Organic orange juice contains NO ADDED SUGAR. What it does have is the naturally-occurring sugar found in the whole oranges that are fresh-squeezed at the juicing plant to make our 100% not-from-concentrate juice. What’s more, studies confirm that the sugar found in 100% fruit juices is absorbed into the bloodstream relatively slowly, creating only a moderate rise in insulin levels. This is good news because consuming sugar after a workout is vital for restocking muscle-glycogen stores. In fact, in the hour immediately after a workout, almost none of the sugar you eat turns into fat. That’s right! This is where insulin (did you mean to say sugar?) doesn’t deserve the bad rap it gets. Since it’s anabolic, insulin from natural fruit sugar quickly diverts nutrients into your muscles, stopping muscle breakdown while speeding repair. In other words, a short insulin spike right after a workout is what you want. Forbes Health takes a further look at what the experts recommend consuming post-workout. You might be surprised to see some natural sugar suggestions on that list.

While a 12oz bottle of Uncle Matt’s Organic Orange Juice contains 33 grams of sugar compared to Orange Gatorade’s 12 grams, the sugar in Gatorade is all added, processed sugar, while orange juice is all naturally provided by Mother Nature.

Winner: Uncle Matt’s

5. SMOOTHIE SYNERGY

It’s true: When consumed after a workout, sugar combined with protein expedites recovery while helping you build and grow muscle. Remember that sugar boosts insulin levels, which are typically low after a workout. When you get those muscle-building amino acids from protein, sugar is actually being used to transport those amino acids, efficiently fueling your muscles when they need it most. It’s a one-two punch you can’t beat and so easy to make by adding a scoop of your favorite protein to our 100% organic orange juice. ­­­­ Gatorade in a smoothie? Um… not the same.

Winner: Uncle Matt’s

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.