Is Powerade Mtn. Berry Blast Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, looking at the label of Powerade Mtn. Berry Blast, the first red flag for keto dieters appears almost immediately. The second ingredient listed is high fructose corn syrup. This is a concentrated liquid sugar derived from corn starch. On a keto diet, the goal is to limit total carbohydrate intake to usually under 20-50 grams per day to maintain a state of ketosis. High fructose corn syrup provides a massive load of fast-absorbing carbohydrates that will immediately spike insulin levels and halt fat burning.

Further down the list, we see modified food starch. While "modified" can sound technical, in this context, it is almost certainly derived from corn. Starch is a complex carbohydrate that breaks down into glucose (sugar) in the body. Even though it is used here in a "less than 0.5%" quantity to act as a thickener or stabilizer, strict keto followers avoid added starches because they contribute to your total carb count without providing nutritional volume.

Finally, the inclusion of Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) is a synthetic dye. While not a carbohydrate, it is a marker of a highly processed beverage. Keto is generally about whole, unprocessed foods, and artificial dyes are often avoided by those seeking a clean diet. The combination of liquid sugar and corn starch makes this drink a definite 'no' for ketosis.

Nutritional Value

Examining the nutritional profile of Powerade Mtn. Berry Blast, the numbers tell the story. A standard 20-ounce bottle contains approximately 34 grams of carbohydrates and 34 grams of sugar. To put that in perspective, that is the equivalent of eating roughly 8 teaspoons of pure sugar. For someone on a standard ketogenic diet aiming for 20 grams of total carbs per day, drinking one bottle of Powerade would exceed their entire daily limit instantly.

Regarding calories, it sits at around 125 calories per bottle, all of which come from carbohydrates. There is zero fat and negligible protein. This is essentially sugar water with added electrolytes. While the electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, potassium) are beneficial for keto flu symptoms, the delivery vehicle (sugar water) negates the benefits. You are essentially taking in a high glycemic load just to get a few minerals.