Whether we’re running in hot weather, doing long-distance training or simply tend to sweat a lot on any run, electrolyte tablets can be a great option of our sports nutrition plan. These electrolyte tablets are great and easy options for refueling our electrolytes while we run or train. We can get some electrolytes from foods, we can make our own homemade electrolytes drinks, or electrolytes powder. But luckily, we have access to nice and easy electrolyte tablets. Electrolyte tablets and powders are similar supplements. It’s just a different delivery system and some people find that tablets are easier to drop in a bottle rather than trying to add and mix in a powder. Why We Should Take Electrolytes Electrolytes are minerals- Sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium, which helps our muscles contract, keep our organs hydrated and manage the nervous system. While running we lose electrolytes through sweat, through muscle use and as we continue to hydrate, then through urination. If our body starts to run low on electrolytes we will feel these symptoms:
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea
Low blood pressure (dizziness)
Muscle Cramps
While the average person can get enough through food, that’s often not the case for runners and athletes who are more susceptible to dehydration due to the increased needs of the body.
Most electrolyte drinks will not contain magnesium. Because it can get the gut moving, it’s either in a very low amount or not included. But we need to take some magnesium supplements with calcium supplements as it is one of the keys for preventing cramps. Best Electrolyte Tablets While we’re running and when we’re ready to enhance our water, we can just drop in a tablet and then shake our bottle or hydrapack as it dissolves to ensure the bottle is fully mixed. For many runners, these electrolytes tablets are preferred over sports drinks due to the lower sugar content, which means less stomach issues with things like side stiches, runner’s diarrhea or nausea while running. Let’s look at the ingredients, taste and general breakdown of some different options for electrolyte supplementation with tablets. All of these will be vegan and gluten-free by nature of what’s included. High Five Zero
1 tube contains 20 tablets- 1-2 tablet 500-750ml water
Flavours: Berry, Citrus, Orange & Cherry, Pink grapefruit, Blackcurrant, Strawberry & Kiwi, Tropical, Neutral.
Including Vitamin C and 5 electrolytes, sodium, magnesium and potassium, calcium, green tea
No sugar
No artificial colours or preservatives
No calories
Light and refreshing flavours
Hammer Endurolytes Fizz For runners who like a sparkling type of water, then this tablet with a little fizz might help to keep keep drinking during and after the run for maximum hydration. But for runners with some mild stomach issues should avoid sparkling type of water. These tablets are not too sweet.
1 tube contains 13 tabs- 1 to 2 tablets 500-750ml water
Flavours: Grape, Mango, Grapefruit, Lemon-Lime, Cola
Very light mild taste
No Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners
No Preservatives
Can break tablet in half, 10 calories per tablet
Cola flavour has caffeine
NUUN Sport These NUUN tablets are very popular, they have a good variety of flavours and options. We have access to pre-workout, caffeine options and immune function. David uses this one quite a bit while mountain biking and many of my runner friends love it. These tablets have very light flavours, even cyclists really enjoy these tablets
1 tube contains 10 tabs- 1 tablet for 500ml water
Flavours: Citrus Fruit, Fruit Punch, Grape, Lemon-Lime, Orange, Strawberry Lemonade, Tri-Berry, Tropical, Watermelon
Very light taste
1 gram Stevia Leaf Extract
No Artificial Colours or Flavours, Non-GMO
Option to get most flavours with Caffeine
Tablets for Immunity, Rest and Greens as well
GU Hydration Drink Tablets While many runners cannot tolerate the GU gels with a bit too much sugar for our gut, these drink tabs are a great solution. Many have said the flavour is too weak with 1 tablet, so they prefer to use 2 per bottle of water. These tablets have very light and low flavours, for some runners that is the best option. Also these tablets are low in calories, so we can combine with calories from others sources while running.
1 tube contains 12 tabs- 1 tablet per 500ml of water
Flavours: Lemon-Lime, Orange, Tri-Berry, Strawberry Lemonade
Slightly sweeter than the others, but still mild
1 gram sugar from Cane Sugar and Stevia
No Artificial Flavours, Non-GMO
All are Caffeine Free
SiS GO Hydro When it comes to taste this one has people not on the fence, but clearly on one side or the other. Most note that it dissolves well, but is even better if you can mix and let sit overnight. These SiS tablets have good light flavours and some supplements to support immunity as well. Also, a good mix of electrolytes.
1 tube contains 20 tabs- 1 tablet for 500ml water
Flavours: Berry, Grapefruit, Strawberry and Lime, Lemon, Cola, Pineapple and Mango
Very light taste
Sweetened with sucralose, less than 1 gram sugar
Cola GO-Hyro has Caffeine
Tablets for Immunity
Amazing Grass Fizzy Hydrate Tablets These Amazing Grass tablets have a mega dose of greens, so that in the flavour. Runners who like the flavour of Supegreens will enjoy these tablets with electrolytes and a bit of energy.
1 tube contains 10 tabs- 1 per 250ml of water
Flavours: Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lime
1 gram sugar, Sweetened with Stevia
Contains a serving of veggies
No Artificial Flavours, Non-GMO
Other options may not contain all the electrolytes, look specifically for Hydrate option
Hydralyte Another fizzy tablet, so be ready for good source of sparkling water. This one has slightly more sugar than other options, but again is still very low for a drink we would use during our run. While the directions say 2 tablets, we can adjust this to our taste and might find that 1 tablet did the trick for good fueling.
1 tube contains 10 tabs- 2 tablets per 250ml of water
Flavours: Berry, Orange, Strawberry kiwi, Lemon & Lime, Apple & Blackcurrant, Lemonade
Sweetest of the options
4 grams of sugar- Sweetened with Sucralose
No Artificial Flavours, Non-GMO
All Caffeine Free
Salt Stick Fast Chews This is not the same thing option as electrolytes tablets, but a good option to provide enough sodium for runners who need a higher level of sodium according to their body and dehydration type. These are also very efficient to support muscle cramps.
1 bottle contains 30 chews- Recommendation is 2 tablets per 30 minutes while running or exercising.
Flavours: Peach, Watermelon, Lemon-Lime, Orange, Mixed Berry
This one does contain magnesium
Mild sweet taste
2 grams of sugar sweetened with Stevia
No Artificial Flavours, Non-GMO
NATURAL FOODS WITH ELECTROLYTES
Take Some Nice and Easy Electrolytes Tablets, Rehydrate Well, Feel Good, Enjoy a Great Run!
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