Alex Cooper knows what the unwell girlies are craving. Having built a platform off radical honesty, unfiltered advice – and OK sure – a few questionable decisions, the media mogul knows what it takes to persist under any circumstances. Her newest launch, Unwell Hydration With Protein, bottles this same ethos . . . literally. With ingredients like electrolytes, essential B vitamins, and a healthy dose of clear protein, it’s the kind of product you’d expect to revive you from a gnarly hangover. On brand and functional. But in the spirit of Father Cooper, we have two very candid questions. One: can you sip these new drinks without gagging? And two: do they actually work?
From a nutritional standpoint, the Unwell ingredients seem to check out. Dietitian Sarah Glinski, RD, approves of the electrolytes (which include 490 mg of sodium, 60 mg of magnesium, and 190 mg of potassium). She even appreciates the added boost of protein. But there are still some important considerations to keep in mind, especially for athletes and those with kidney disease or high blood pressure. Read on to get the full rundown – including our honest Unwell Hydration With Protein taste test.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Sarah Glinski, RD, is a Canada-based dietitian specializing in gut health.
Unwell Protein Drink Benefits
These new drinks claim to deliver 10 grams of high quality clear protein for only 60 calories, which Glinski sees as a major plus. “While 10 grams of protein per bottle isn’t a huge amount (I typically recommend people choose protein supplements with at least 20 grams of protein per serving), it can provide a protein boost in a convenient and tasty format,” she says.
Research also shows that whey protein – the kind used in Unwell – can help with muscle growth and muscle strength. While 10 grams of protein is not hugely significant, it’s also worth noting that this drink can contribute to your daily protein intake, which could be beneficial for anyone struggling to hit their goals. Ingredients like potassium and magnesium also support muscle and nerve function, Glinski says.
Lastly, Unwell Protein contains a relatively high amount of sodium, at 490 mg. This is great for athletes, or anyone nursing a hangover, Glinski says. Just be cautious if you’re not already losing a lot of salt through sweat, as most people in the US already consume far more than the recommended 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
What to Consider About Unwell Protein Drink
It might be tempting to reach for Unwell every time you have a hangover or tough workout class, and it definitely can provide some reprieve . . . in moderation. But drinking too much may be problematic. “The main red flags for this beverage mostly pertain to people with kidney disease or high blood pressure,” Glinski says. Those with kidney disease often need to reduce their protein intake to relieve strain on the kidneys, and those with high blood pressure may need to watch their sodium intake.
“This drink contains about 20 percent of the maximum daily recommended intake for sodium,” Glinski explains. “Sodium pulls water into the blood, which increases the pressure on the blood vessel walls. Consistently high sodium intake can lead to chronically increased blood pressure.” If you’re downing multiple bottles of Unwell Protein a day, you could easily surpass this sodium threshold.
It’s also important to note that Unwell Protein is good for recovery, but with only two grams of sugar, it’s not exactly a sports drink. “I typically prefer to see sports drinks contain a source of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose, to provide quick energy during longer bouts of exercise,” Glinski says. “If a person plans to use this for hydration in a sports setting, I would recommend including an additional source of fast-acting carbohydrates, especially if they’re training for longer than an hour.”
Unwell Protein Drink Taste
We’ve established the nutritional ins and outs – but how does Unwell Hydration With Protein actually taste? The short answer . . . surprisingly good. Just remember to shake well and enjoy cold for the best tasting experience. Here’s how mine went:
- Raspberry Melon: These drinks are seriously tart – a revelation I enjoyed as a lover of all things sour. I didn’t notice any salty aftertaste (the kind you sometimes get with electrolyte drinks), just the delicious, punchy flavor. After tasting for a second time, I can confirm that this was my favorite flavor.
- Watermelon Strawberry: Again, this is not your typical fruit-forward drink. This particular flavor reminded me exactly of a watermelon ring pop – candy-like, but borderline sour in the best way. I will say there wasn’t a huge distinction between this drink and the Raspberry Melon, although this one might’ve been slightly less tart. Still, I’m not complaining.
- Peach Tangerine: Arguably the most refreshing of the three flavors, I’d say this was also the sweetest. It’s peachy and fairly mellow, but the flavor is definitely still there. I almost wish it were carbonated like an orange soda . . . but that’s just me. Overall, these drinks all get a huge thumbs up from me (which is high praise, coming from an unwell girlie herself).
Chandler Plante (she/her) is a social producer and staff writer for the Health & Fitness team at Popsugar. She has over five years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.
