Electrolytes for humans

[kaya842]

I’ll be the odd ball out it seems! I tried a bunch of electrolyte powders last year and can’t stand Liquid IV or Nuun. In any flavor or any temperature.

I do agree that many “off the shelf” sports drinks are more sugar than actual electrolytes. I took to comparing the GAs to see what was actually in each mix/ drink. The best I’ve found for me is GatorLytes made by Gatorade. I can’t stand regular Gatorade - too sweet and makes my stomach hurt like other posters. The GatorLytes is much lower sugar (9g total I believe?) and packed with electrolytes. Between this year and last, Gatorlytes has either prevented or pulled me out of a heat stroke episode countless times (I’m in the Midwest with heat and humidity).

I wanted to add that hydrating with plan water is important too but you can overdo it and pull even more electrolytes from your system. This is an individual thing as it depends on what your diet is like (lots of salty foods or already supplementing electrolytes in another form, highly active vs moderate, and personal tolerance levels). For me, it took a bit of trial and error but now I can usually tell (based on how I feel) when I need electrolytes vs plain water.

[Showbizz]

We also use Liquid IV at hot shows. That said, I dilute mine 2x because I find it too sweet.

[eponacelt]

@Posting_Trot

I like Nuun electrolyte tablets. Y

Another vote for Nuun tabs. This is all I used when I was running a lot and training for races. Not too sweet, almost no calories, and the best hydration I could find.

[TheDBYC]

. I get heart palpitations and migraines when I’m dehydrated. Liquid IV seems to work the fastest for me. Pedialyte is also good.

No Gatorade. It’s bad for you and it doesn’t sit well in your stomach during heavy activity in the heat. (I’ve seen more than one person throw up immediately after drinking Gatorade.) I do Brazilian jiu jitsu. It’s so fascinating to observe the difference how actual Brazilians handle heavy exertion in the heat versus your average American. Class lets up and these huge Brazilian black belts that had their knee on their opponent’s neck will stop and slap hands or hug and retreat to the side of the mat laughing to consume coconut water and a banana.

[kt]

Regarding sugar in Liquid IV: although they recently came out with a sugar-free version to compete against all the other sugar-free brands out there, one thing to consider is that Liquid IV very intentionally includes a relatively small amount of glucose (10g) in their original product because their formula of sodium, glucose and potassium citrate allows water to be delivered to the body earlier in the digestive system. The sugar actually is part of what makes it work. They have science-y info on their site about it, but I’ve also seen it anecdotally in my own life. I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, low blood pressure and hypoglycemia-- all worsened by exercise. I know the taste isn’t for everyone, but I literally feel like this product has saved my life multiple times over the years lol!

[atr]

The banana after riding is a bit of a lifesaver, I’m finding.

I have something of a love hate relationship with them. I prefer them a little under-ripe and don’t have to think to hard about the texture… my horse thinks they are a real treat, however

[touchstone]

This is gatorade-adjacent, but i like Propel powder. It’s sugar-free, I can mix it into my tap water, and it keeps in my car. It costs like $3 for a ten-pack at Target. There are a bunch of different flavors. I like raspberry lemonade, but ymmv. I find it makes a big difference vs. normal water on really hot days.

[foggybok]

@kt

Regarding sugar in Liquid IV: although they recently came out with a sugar-free version to compete against all the other sugar-free brands out there, one thing to consider is that Liquid IV very intentionally includes a relatively small amount of glucose (10g) in their original product because their formula of sodium, glucose and potassium citrate allows water to be delivered to the body earlier in the digestive system.

yup, this is true for any sports drink. When I make my own I intentionally add sugar.