If you are reading this, you already know not all sports drinks are created equal, especially when it comes to artificial dyes and ingredients. 

With more athletes and parents demanding cleaner hydration, it is time to see how today’s top brands stack up. Here is your 2026 comparison of sports drinks that skip synthetic colors, and why A-GAME leads the pack for natural, effective hydration.

This guide is built for the exact moment you are in: standing in the aisle (or scrolling online), trying to decode label language like “no artificial colors,” “colored with vegetable juice,” and “natural flavors” while still getting a drink that actually helps you hydrate.

Let’s define what “no artificial dyes” really means

When people say “sports drinks without artificial dyes,” they are usually talking about avoiding FDA-certified synthetic colors such as FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Blue No. 1. On U.S. labels, these are often listed by name or shortened as “Red 40,” “Yellow 5,” or “Blue 1.” 

The FDA explains that certified color additives are synthetically produced and must be listed on labels. 

A “no artificial dyes” sports drink generally uses color from natural sources. 

Common examples include fruit or vegetable juice concentrates, beta-carotene, and other plant-derived colorants. You will often see language like “vegetable juice color” or “fruit juice (color)” in the ingredient list.

One more nuance: “no artificial colors” is not a regulated seal with one universal definition across brands. It is a claim you still want to verify by scanning the ingredient list for certified colors. 

The good news is that in the U.S., certified color additives must be declared on the label, which makes this one of the easier “clean label” checks you can do quickly.

Here’s why more athletes and parents are ditching artificial colors

People want fewer synthetic additives in everyday products, especially ones kids and teens drink often. 

Athletes are also paying more attention to ingredients because sports drinks are no longer “just for games.” They are now a daily hydration tool for practices, tournaments, camps, commutes, and workouts.

There is also a real policy and market signal happening in the background. 

In April 2025, HHS and the FDA announced a plan to work with industry to eliminate multiple petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply. Separately, the FDA moved to ban Red Dye No. 3 from foods and supplements, with phase-out deadlines that extend into 2027 and 2028. 

Even if you do not follow ingredient news closely, those headlines change consumer expectations fast.

On the research side, the most responsible takeaway is this: agencies acknowledge that most children have no adverse effects from approved color additives, but evidence suggests some children may be sensitive to synthetic dyes. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the well-known “Southampton study” and said the observed effects were small and of unclear practical significance. 

Translation for parents and coaches: many people do fine with dyes, but if you are trying to simplify ingredients, or you have a child who seems sensitive, choosing dye-free options is a straightforward way to reduce one category of additives.

Ingredient-aware shoppers are no longer satisfied with “trust us.” They want to see the source, the label language, and the logic behind why ingredients are in what they consume.

How do A-GAME, BODYARMOR, and PLEZi stack up on natural ingredients?

Let’s break it down: not all “no dye” sports drinks are the same. Here’s how A-GAME, BODYARMOR, and PLEZi compare on the ingredients that matter most.

A-GAME is designed for real-ingredient hydration, including sea salt electrolytes and a honey-based formula in its Original line, while staying free of artificial dyes. 

BODYARMOR has long emphasized “no artificial dyes” across multiple product lines, while sweeteners vary by line (regular vs Lyte vs Zero Sugar). 

PLEZi Hydration is positioned as a kid-friendly, athlete-backed option with no artificial colors or dyes and a blend that includes fruit juice plus stevia leaf extract, with “vegetable juice color” listed on the label. 

Ingredient comparison table (quick scan)

A-GAME

• Color source: No artificial dyes (brand positioning)
  
  
• Sweetener type: Honey (Original line)
  
  
• Key electrolyte source: Sea salt electrolytes
  
  

BODYARMOR

• Color source: No artificial dyes (brand claim)
  
  
• Sweetener type: Regular: cane sugar (varies by product); Lyte: allulose + stevia; Zero: stevia
  
  
• Key electrolyte source: Potassium-forward electrolyte blend (plus sodium, magnesium, more depending on line)
  
  

PLEZi Hydration

• Color source: “No artificial colors or dyes” and “vegetable juice color” listed
  
  
• Sweetener type: Fruit juice (from concentrate) + stevia leaf extract
  
  
• Key electrolyte source: Potassium citrate + sea salt (plus sodium)

What to notice fast:

• All three brands are playing in the “no artificial dyes” lane.
• The biggest differences show up in sweeteners and how “natural” is defined in practice.
• Electrolyte sourcing matters because hydration is not just flavor. It is sodium and friends doing the work.

What should you look for in a truly natural sports drink?

If you want a sports drink that is both dye-free and genuinely “cleaner,” you need a simple label-reading framework. Here is the quick version you can use in 20 seconds.

1) Verify the dye-free claim by scanning the ingredient list

Look for any of these red flags:

• Red 40 / FD&C Red No. 40
• Yellow 5 / FD&C Yellow No. 5
• Yellow 6 / FD&C Yellow No. 6
• Blue 1 / FD&C Blue No. 1

If you do not see certified colors listed, that is a strong sign the drink is avoiding artificial dyes. FDA guidance also makes clear that certified color additives must be declared on the label. 

2) Decide what “natural sweetener” means for your household

This is where shoppers get tripped up.

Ask yourself:

• Do you want real sugar energy for training and long sessions?
• Do you want low sugar for everyday hydration?
• Do you want zero sugar because you are watching total intake?

Examples from the comparison:

• PLEZi Hydration lists pear juice and apple juice (from concentrate) and stevia leaf extract. 
• BODYARMOR’s lines vary: regular products commonly include cane sugar, while Lyte uses allulose and stevia, and Zero uses stevia. 
• A-GAME highlights honey in its Original formula, which many athletes like for a “real ingredient” energy profile. 

There is no single right answer here. The right choice depends on your training, your kid’s activity level, and whether you are drinking this once a week or every day.

3) Look for a clear electrolyte source, not just “electrolytes” as a vibe

Electrolytes are minerals like sodium and potassium that help maintain fluid balance and support muscle function. For performance hydration, sodium is often the key lever because sweat loss is sodium-heavy.

When labels are transparent, you will see ingredients like:

• sea salt
• potassium citrate
• potassium chloride
• magnesium compounds

In this comparison:

• PLEZi lists potassium citrate and sea salt. 
• BODYARMOR lists electrolyte blends and typically leans potassium-forward, depending on the line. 
• A-GAME  emphasizes sea salt electrolytes. 

4) Treat “natural flavors” as a neutral bucket, then focus on what you can verify

“Natural flavors” is common across food and beverage products. 

It is not automatically bad, but it also does not tell you much. If your goal is to avoid dyes and simplify ingredients, you will get more clarity from what is listed plainly (color source, sweetener type, electrolyte ingredients).

This is where A-GAME resonates: real-ingredient hydration, sea salt electrolytes, honey in the Original formula, and an explicit stance against artificial dyes.

Why is A-GAME the choice for natural hydration?

A-GAME is built for people who want performance hydration without the ingredient “noise.”

1) No artificial dyes, plus an ingredient story that makes sense

A-GAME is free of artificial dyes, flavors, and sweeteners, and frames its formula around recognizable inputs. That matters because a lot of “no dye” drinks still feel like lab projects once you read the rest of the label.

2) Honey energy (for the Original line)

For athletes doing real work, carbs matter. Honey is not just a marketing word, it is a carbohydrate source that can fit training needs when you want energy without the neon colors. A-GAME explicitly highlights honey as part of its formula. 

3) Sea salt electrolytes that align with how you sweat

Sweat loss is not just water. It is water plus sodium. A-GAME’s sea salt electrolytes are simple, familiar, and performance-relevant. 

4) Built for athletes and families who want clean hydration they can repeat daily

PLEZi is a strong option for families looking for a kid-friendly hydration drink with no artificial dyes and a label that clearly shows “vegetable juice color,” fruit juices, and stevia. 

BODYARMOR is widely available and also avoids artificial dyes, but sweeteners vary by line, so you need to choose intentionally. 

A-GAME stands out by anchoring the conversation in a simple promise: natural hydration built from recognizable ingredients, without artificial dyes. 

FAQs

Are artificial dyes common in sports drinks?

They have been common historically, especially in brightly colored flavors. But as of 2025 to 2026, regulators and major market players are pushing industry away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes, and many brands are reformulating or offering dye-free lines. 

What are the most common artificial dyes to avoid?

On U.S. labels, common certified colors include FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Blue No. 1. Certified color additives must be listed in the ingredient statement. 

Does “no artificial colors” mean the drink is fully natural?

Not always. “No artificial colors” refers to color sources, not necessarily sweeteners or flavors. You still want to check sweeteners, electrolyte ingredients, and overall transparency.

How does PLEZi Hydration get its color without dyes?

PLEZi Hydration lists “vegetable juice color” in the ingredient list, along with fruit juices and stevia leaf extract. 

Why do athletes care about sodium in sports drinks?

Sodium helps replace what you lose in sweat and supports fluid balance. If you are training hard, sweating a lot, or working in heat, sodium becomes a performance hydration lever, not just a nutrition detail.

Ready to upgrade your hydration? Choose A-GAME for a sports drink built for clean performance, with no artificial dyes and real-ingredient simplicity you can feel good about. Shop online or find a retailer near you: Try A-GAME or Find A-GAME in stores. 



Quick question: When you are shopping dye-free, what matters more to you, the sweetener type or the electrolyte profile? Drop it in the comments so we can keep this guide updated as brands reformulate.