Is Advocare Spark Gluten-Free? (Uncovered)
Advocare Spark is a moderately low-calorie energy drink with a caffeine content of 120 mg per serving. This energy mix formula is filled with various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to the formula’s greatness.
But of course, no matter how good a formula may be in general, there are specific things that some of you might want, reduce or even avoid in a formula, take gluten as an example.
So, why don’t we find out if Advocare Spark is gluten-free?
Advocare Spark is not manufactured in certified gluten-free conditions, as said on their website. But based on the ingredients analysis, it is highly likely to be a close option for a gluten-free energy drink.
I could end this article here since you already got the answer you came here for, but hey, that’s no fun. There’s a lot of exciting and educational facts you can get just by finishing this article till the very end.
Let’s start!
Contents
What is gluten-free?
According to the FDA, any product with a gluten content of 20 parts per million or less can be labeled as gluten-free.
Gluten is a general term used for the proteins in the food and beverages you consume that comes from wheat, rye, barley, and a cross between wheat and rye called tricale.
Not to be a downer or anything, but your favorite pastries, pizza, pasta, and pies are off-limits if you’re on a gluten-free diet considering these food contain high levels of gluten, so who in the right mind would go on a gluten-free diet and deprive themselves of all these treats?
A better question, why do some people go for a gluten-free diet?
I’m sure everyone has their reasons, so let’s find out!
Why do people practice gluten-free diets?
Most people go for gluten-free diets solely for the health benefits made possible by this type of eating plan, while others are medically required.
A gluten-free diet is an eating plan that excludes any food or beverages with gluten in its content.
Fun fact: Do you know that there’s no such thing as gluten-free oats?
So for those of you who think it’s alright to eat oats on a gluten-free diet, hate to break it to you, but proteins found in oat can cause a stimulated immune response similar to what is seen from wheat.
But no worries, there are a variety of alternatives available to replace your morning bowl of oats.
The following are food you can consume on a gluten-free diet:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Beans, seeds, and legumes
- Unprocessed nuts
- Eggs
- Lean meat
- Fish
- Low-fat dairy products
- Quinoa
- Poultry
- Soy
- Buckwheat
- Millet
- Tapioca
- Arrowroot
Now, let’s find out what are the benefits of a gluten-free diet.
What are the potential health benefits of a gluten-free diet?
A gluten-free diet is healthier and may help with gastrointestinal problems.
A growing number of people who have been diagnosed with gluten sensitivity have found that eliminating gluten improves their gastrointestinal health.
Take a look at this video to know more.
What medical conditions require a gluten-free diet?
The following medical conditions require a gluten-free diet:
- Celiac Disease
- Wheat Allergy
- Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
- Gluten Ataxia
If you suspect that you are in any way suffering from some or one of the medical conditions mentioned above, it is best to suspend any gluten consumption until a proper diagnosis by a medical professional has been made.
Now, let’s talk about Advocare Spark’s nutritional components.
Nutritional Information
There are plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you can just by drinking this formula, the only question is, are the components suitable for consumption when practicing a gluten-free diet?
Now, we find out.
Macronutrient Content
| Macronutrients | Amount | Recommended Daily Intake |
| Calories | 15 kcal | 2,000 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g | 225-235 g |
Macronutrients are the nutritive components of the food you consume and is necessary to sustain your body’s structure and systems, therefore, an essential component for human survival.
Vitamin Content
| Vitamin | Amount | Recommended Daily Intake |
| Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) | 300 mcg | 700-900 mcg |
| Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) | 180 mcg | 65-90 mg |
| Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopheryl acetate) | 20.1 mg | 15 mg |
| Thiamine (as HCI) | 3 mg | 1.1-1.2 mg |
| Riboflavin | 3.4 mg | 1.1-1.3 mg |
| Niacin (as niacinamide) | 60 mg | 14-16 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine) | 15 mg | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin) | 45 mcg | 2.4 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid (as calcium d-pantothenate) | 50 mg | 5 mg |
Are vitamins gluten-free?
Prescriptions or OTC medications including vitamins and other supplements contain traces of gluten, even if these circumstances only occur on rare occasions.
So you must almost take a close look at the ingredients used in the vitamins you take if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
Vitamins are compounds that has the ability to reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions including, but not limited to cancer and heart diseases, this is made possible by these compounds’ strong antioxidant potential.
Mineral Content
| Mineral | Amount | Recommended Daily Intake |
| Choline (as bitartrate and citrate) | 500 mg | 435-550 mg |
| Zinc (as zinc monomethionine) | 3 mg | 8-11 mg |
| Copper (as copper glycinate) | 200 mcg | 1,100-1,400 mcg |
| Chromium (as chromium citrate) | 24 mcg | 25-35 mcg |
Minerals are inorganic substances necessary for a variety of functions in you body, as these substances are associated in the proper formation of your bones and teeth, and are essential constituents of body fluids and tissues.
Antioxidant Content
| Antioxidant | Amount | Recommended Daily Intake |
| L-Tyrosine | 500 mg | 1.1-6 g |
| Taurine | 200 mg | 500-2,000 mg |
| Glycine | 100 mg | 3-5 g |
| L-Carnitine (as tartrate) | 10 mg | 1,000-4,000 mg |
| Inositol | 10 mg | 12-18 g |
Antioxidants are molecules that can neutralize, prevent, or limit the damage produced by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can destroy your cells.
Caffeine content of Advocare Spark
A single serving of Advocare Spark contains 120 mg of caffeine.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that can delay fatigue and increase your alertness and energy levels by stimulating your central nervous system.
Apart from this, some evidence suggests that this stimulant can alleviate the probability of developing various diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and stroke.
Is caffeine gluten-free?
Yes, Caffeine is gluten-free!
This is because it is created through the process of burning coffee beans that are considered free from gluten.
What are the negative effects of consuming caffeine?
Too much caffeine intake can cause insomnia, migraines, irritability, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, and muscle tremors.
Take note that the recommended daily consumption for adults is 400 mg of caffeine, according to the FDA.
Long term effects of caffeine consumption include:
- Caffeine addiction
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Heartburn
- Muscle breakdown
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
Now, let’s take a look at the ingredients in this formula to continue our analysis.
What are the ingredients in Advocare Spark?
| Ingredient | Source | Function |
| Maltodextrin | Rice, Corn, Wheat, Corn Starch | This water-soluble white powder functions as a food additive, a substance used to lengthen a product’s shelf life, improve the appearance of powdered formulas, and lessening the sweetness of the product while reducing nutrient loss. |
| Citric Acid | Citrus Fruits | This acid used in medicine can kill bacteria and lower the acid in urine. It can treat gastrointestinal problems and persistent metabolic acidosis. |
| Silicon Dioxide | Water, Plants, Animals, Earth | This natural compound is used as a food additive, it is created as a result of combining silicon and oxygen. |
| Sucralose | Sugar | This non-nutritive sweetener is made from sucrose, it undergoes a chemical process wherein its structure is altered. Sucralose is a general-purpose sweetener approved by the FDA. |
Hope you got a good look at the table above because we’ll base the next discussion on the information provided there.
Now, it’s time to determine whether the ingredients used in this formula are gluten-free.
Are the ingredients in Advocare Spark gluten-free?
Most of the ingredients used in this formula are considered gluten-free.
However, the cross-contamination concern for sucralose has yet to be tested nor confirmed.
Is maltodextrin gluten-free?
Yes, maltodextrin is gluten-free as it is made from a variety of cereal starches.
Maltodextrins are not made from or contain barley malt, despite their name.
Is citric acid gluten-free?
Citric acid is considered gluten-free.
This is because citric acid can be created from corn, rice, potatoes, arrowroot, tapioca, or wheat, which contains no gluten.
Is silicon dioxide gluten-free?
Silicon dioxide is a non-gluten caking agent therefore, it is gluten-free.
It is gluten-free because it is created from silicon tetrachloride, which has no gluten.
Is sucralose gluten-free?
Sucralose may or may not be gluten-free.
While some studies suggest that it is free from gluten, this sweetener has yet to be tested for cross-contamination.
Cross-contamination is the unintended transfer of microorganisms, chemical, allergens and other substances from one thing to another, in this case, the ingredients used in formulating this energy drink.
Next, let me explain why Advocare Spark is not fully gluten-free.
Why is Advocare Spark not fully gluten-free?
As said on Advocare Spark’s website, their products are not manufactured in a certified gluten-free environment, therefore, they are not gluten-free.
But as you can see, based on the ingredients analysis, most of the ingredients of Advocare Spark are gluten-free except for sucralose, which needs more analysis whether or not it’s gluten-free.
So, what can you do about this information?
If you’re following a gluten-free diet because you want to eat healthier and you have no gluten-related disease, then take this information as a sign that you can still drink Advocare Spark since it’s close to being gluten-free.
On the other hand, if you currently have gluten-related diseases such as:
- Celiac Disease
- Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
- Wheat allergy
- Gluten ataxia
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
Then I advise you to prioritize your health and choose an alternative fully certified gluten-free energy drink besides Advocare Spark to assure that it will not cause you harm.
If you do consider drinking Advocare Spark, then check out this article on where to buy it.
Now, let’s find out if this formula is bad for your heart.
Is Advocare Spark bad for your heart?
Generally, energy drinks are associated with adverse heart reactions, including but not limited to chest pains, palpitations, and increased heart rate if taken more than twice a day.
Considering this medically supported statement, it is always best to take your energy drinks in moderation and with responsible consumption.
Is caffeine bad for you heart?
No, caffeine has no negative effect on your heart.
Because of the information that caffeine causes high blood pressure and palpitations, many people will assume that caffeine will harm the health of your heart.
But in fact, caffeine is proven by studies to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Should you be in any way suffering from any medical conditions, I suggest consulting a medical expert or your doctor beforehand.
Alternative gluten-free energy drinks
Since we are certain that Advocare Spark is not fully gluten-free, here are some alternative energy drinks that you want to try that are 100% gluten-free.
- Red Bull
- NOS Energy
- Monster Energy
- G Fuel
- Rogue Energy
- Mountain Dew AMP Energy
- 5-Hour Energy
- Sobe Elixir
Lastly, here is the summary of this article.
Conclusion
Based on the ingredients analysis, Advocare Spark is close to being gluten-free but is not 100% certified gluten-free, as said on their website.
Most of the ingredients used in creating this formula are considered free from gluten or any traces of it; however, the fact that this formula contains sucralose, a sweetener that hasn’t even been tested for cross contamination can leave a lot of questions, not to mention the fact that the vitamins used in this formula may or may not contain gluten.
