This is the second container of Accelerade that is bad. We had to throw the previous one away (no returns) but reordered in hopes we had received a bad batch. Unfortunately, that expensive gamble failed; this batch is worse and apparently not returnable. That’s $100 wasted, a real disappointment since we have used Accelerade for at least 5 years without these issues.

Although it did what it says in the product description, it also serves as a major laxative. Not quite what I was expecting while going our for a long distance run on the treadmill at the gym. I drank this after mile 11 and by mile 15 I began feeling the dreaded diarrhea gas shooting up to my stomach. I thought I'd relieve myself and let some gas blow by mile 16 and was completely humiliated when I splattered all over the gyms equipment. I run at a pretty quick pace so the treadmill actually flung some of my accident on the rowing machine behind me. Needless to say, the beautiful girl on the machine wasn't too happy with me. I was able to complete my 20 miles on the treadmill without any other incidents so it really does work. I never cramped up once. This is a solid product but it should have a warning label on it.

UPDATE as of 2.22.22<br />I still love this stuff and when a recent bout of bronchitis knocked me down for a month, sipping this when I couldn't eat really saved my life. Not long after, a friend of mine got sick, as did her young son, so I suggested she grab some of this for both of them to sip throughout the day. They both loved it and also found it way more helpful than gatorade or pedialyte. I love something that offers multiple benefits and uses, we make sure we have a full canister on hand at all times.<br /><br />Original review:<br />I have been relying on Accelerade for over 15 years, when I stumbled upon it, almost literally, while training for a marathon. I was finding that no matter what I did, or didn't do, the long runs were knocking me down for days afterwards. I read something in Runner's World about the whole 4:1 ratio thing with regards to recovery and figured it was worth a try, because I was just a zombie for 3-4 days after the long runs. Initially, I bought a few of the pre-made bottles to try and personally I prefer the flavor of the powder (especially the orange, which is kind of like Tang but a bit creamier). I tried sipping some before, during and after one of the dreaded long runs on the weekend. I noticed immediately that I finished with more energy...intriguing, but the worst usually came after and the following days. So I waited...and felt...great. It was weird. I honestly felt as if I hadn't done anything, really, beyond a nice normal workout or yoga class. No deep muscle soreness, NO lingering fatigue...at all! I was blown away, the difference was night and day. So I raved about this to my fella, who rides his bicycle to and from work, often in insane heat, and he also felt a huge difference in his ability to stay energized and then recover from those hellish rides. I tested it after weight training. Same thing. Over time, it became my indispensable workout companion and during the brutal LA summers I carry a cold bottle with me everywhere to sip and stay hydrated and energized. It's remarkable how different it feels when the nutrients actually reach your cells. I think most drinks are just passed right through your system but that 4:1 formula seems to be the magic number. I have even converted some Gatorade lovers out there and wish everyone knew how awesome this stuff is, even if you're not an athlete. It blends fairly easily but I use a Vitamix so I can blend it with a little bit of ice, just enough to make it really cold (btw, cold liquids are absorbed more quickly than room temp liquids when the body is under exertion, according to a nifty book on sports nutrition I once read). Trust me, this stuff works. I also love their coffee and chocolate Excel Gels in a pinch. Tasty and still works. Do yourself a favor, try this!

The 4:1 ratio of this recovery drink is comparable to the P90X recovery drink, but at half the price.<br /><br />It is a little tough to mix, but buy yourself a Blender Bottle and you'll have no problems with mixing.<br /><br />As for taste, I strongly suggest the Mountain Berry. If Gatoraide's flavor were a 5 out of 5, I would give this a 4 out of 5. The taste is actually pretty good, but the smell is HORRIBLE. Don't ask me how they got a good flavor with a terrible smell, but that's exactly what they've done. The smell is like rotten eggs! Just don't breath in through your nose while you're drinking and it's an awesome drink!

I don't know if it really increases endurance like they claim, but it does seem to reduce recovery time for me after long runs. They don't taste the greatest, though. Mountain Berry is the only one that I kind of like; the others I think are awful. The liquid forms in the bottle do taste better, but are much more expensive than the powder.

The only other Accelerade flavor I've tried is fruit punch which tastes better than the lemon-lime flavor but I think the fruit punch flavor 'bubbles' up more than this one does. I went for a 16-mile run this weekend, filled up all four of my Nathan bottles and brought my belt with me for the run. Usually, the shaking foams up the energy drinks in the bottles and although the amount of foam was about the same, I felt I didn't have to burp as much while running after drinking the lemon-lime flavor. With the fruit punch flavor, every time I take sips, I find myself burping right after and it disrupts my breathing which disrupts my running.<br /><br />So, although the fruit punch tastes better than lemon-lime, this one still works for me. After 16 miles, I felt like I could do more but I was practically out of juice in my bottles. Just need to find a way to carry more fluids.<br /><br />(also wanted to add, I took this drink with Accel Gel and that combined with Accelerade seemed to be very effective, for me at least)