Leave it to Steph Curry and Michelle Obama to remind us that health and flavor don’t have to be enemies. The NBA legend and the forever First Lady have teamed up to launch PLEZi Hydration, a new sports drink aiming to do what health gurus allege Gatorade and Powerade never quite pulled off — offer hydration without compromising on health.
Born out of Obama’s public benefit company, PLEZi Nutrition, the drink is marketed as a “healthier” option for individuals who want to stay active without consuming excessive sugar and sodium. According to its website, each 16.9-ounce bottle packs only 12 grams of sugar — less than half of what you’d find in traditional sports drinks — plus 500 mg of potassium, 120 mg of sodium (vs. 210 mg), and the full daily dose of vitamin C.
And this isn’t a slap-your-name-on-it celebrity endorsement. Both Curry and Obama were deeply involved in creating the drink from the ground up. Based on a CNBC report, Curry helped with everything from the packaging to the formula. Ayesha Curry, his wife and a culinary guru in her own right, weighed in on the flavors, too. “We’ve created something with smart ingredients and unbeatable flavor so that people can fuel their bodies the right way,” Curry said. “No nonsense, no shortcuts — because the next generation deserves better.”
Available now in three flavors — Tropical Punch, Lemon Lime, and Orange Mango Twist (Steph’s favorite) — PLEZi Hydration is rolling out in California grocery stores, including Walmart, Albertsons, and Safeway, and is available nationwide on Amazon for $2.29 per bottle.
This move makes the four-time NBA champion the latest athlete-entrepreneur to break into the crowded sports drink game — think LeBron James with Mtn Dew Rise, the late Kobe Bryant with BodyArmor, or Logan Paul with Prime, per CNBC. But this isn’t just a clout grab. PLEZi is rooted in purpose, continuing Obama’s mission to “help raise a healthier generation of kids,” a throughline from her White House days with the Let’s Move! campaign.
It’s also a timely response to a more significant issue. The U.S. is deep in a nutrition-related health crisis, with kids consuming an average of 53 pounds of added sugar per year — much of it from sugary drinks, according to the American Heart Association. PLEZi isn’t trying to replace water or whole foods, but it’s here to offer a more innovative alternative when kids — and let’s be real, adults — want something that tastes good.
“We’re excited to provide a delicious, healthier option for everyone who’s trying to get active and stay hydrated,” Obama said in a statement.
