STAYING HYDRATED CAN be as difficult as it is important. In summer, when the heat is beating down, it’s fairly easy to remember that you need to have a glass of water every now and then. But in winter, when you still need 8-10 glasses of water per day, it can be harder to stay hydrated as you won’t be feeling as thirsty. In fact, as a recent survey reveals, 60% Australians are aware that experts recommend drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily, yet only 35% drink at least 8 glasses a day. The same survey shows that 72% of Aussies think less about staying hydrated in cold weather than warm weather, and that forgetting to drink water is the leading barrier to staying properly hydrated.
Before you jump to conclusions, allow us to clarify that the solution to this problem is not to hop on a plane for a trip to warmer climes, where it’ll be easier to remember to drink water – as tempting as that may be given the piercing cold of Australian winter and the lure of a Euro Summer. That’s because the human body loses around 250ml of water per hour while at high altitudes in a plane, as the interior of an aircraft at 30,000 feet has a lower humidity level than the Sahara desert.
Clearly, staying hydrated is never easy. Be it in summer, winter, on a plane or after a workout, it can be difficult to consume the recommended amount of water, and even if you do, you risk drinking too much and losing electrolytes as a result. To combat this paradoxical challenge, a trusty hydration supplement is the most obvious solution. These supps can deliver the necessary hydration and even bolster your electrolyte levels. Here’s six of the best hydration supplements on the market, to help you get through winter, Euro summer, or any task that requires a little extra hydration.
Liquid I.V.
Liquid I.V.Price: 10 sachets – $20 | 24 sachets – $40
After developing a cult following overseas, Liquid I.V. has finally landed in Australia. It’s a travel-friendly, scientifically formulated electrolyte drink mix that comes in single-serve sachets known as sticks. Acting as a hydration multiplier, just one stick mixed in 500ml of water is enough to replenish your electrolyte stores and rehydrate you faster than regular water. What’s more, Liquid I.V comes in a range of delectable flavours, from passionfruit and strawberry to lemon lime.
LVL-UP
LVL-UPPrice: 10 sachets – $12.99 | 30 hydration sticks – $24.99
Freshly launched, LVL-UP are new players in the hydration supplement space. Featuring a premium blend of vitamins and electrolytes, just one LVL-UP stick per day can support energy levels and activate fast-acting hydration. Whether you’re taking on an arduous workout or relaxing by the beach, LVL-UP will provide the hydration you need. While taste is the Achilles heel of many supplements, that isn’t an issue with LVL-UP, with lemon & lime, orange and mixed berry flavours.
Science in Sport Go Hydro Electrolyte Tablets
Science in Sport Go Hydro Electrolyte TabletsPrice: $24
Simple, practical and effective. SiS Go Hydro was designed to deliver effective hydration in the most efficient way possible. Drop a single effervescent table into water, watch it dissolve and drink up. Then the job is done, 300mg of electrolytes have been injected into your system and you’re primed for peak performance. With zero sugar and zero calories, SiS Go Hydro contains sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins and green tea extract—excuse the excessive vitamin jargon, but be assured that’s everything you want in a supplement.
Precision Hydration PH1000
Precision Hydration PH1000Price: $16.95
If you’re a salty sweater, you can’t look past these tablets from Precision Hydration—to check if you are one, look for the tell-tale white marks on your clothes that present themselves after a workout. Specifically formulated for athletes who expel high amounts of sodium during exercise, PH 1000 is optimal for workout warriors who like to push themselves to their limit.
SaltStick Fastchews
SaltStick FastchewsPrice: $38.95
Not only are these compact tablets packed with all the vitamins you need for hydration, consuming them is also incredibly convenient. Pop one into your mouth mid-run, or in-between sets at the gym, and you’ll feel the fast-acting effects almost immediately. With ingredients that minimise heat stress and muscle cramps, Fastchews ensure you’re performing at your best, when you need to be. They also come in a seemingly unlimited range of flavours.
Berocca Sport Powder Sachets
Berocca Sport Powder SachetsPrice: $14.99
An established force in the vitamin supplement market, Berocca is a big name for a reason. Berocca Sport takes the brand’s typical everyday supplements to the next level, with a formulation that promises to deliver the hydration needed for exercise. It’s low calorie, 99% sugar free, vegetarian and vegan friendly, and all you have to do is drop some into your water bottle. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
What foods have electrolytes?
If you’re still not keen on supplements, despite their convenience and effectiveness, there are other ways to stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes. Plenty of foods contain electrolytes, but they will take longer to consume, and are still less effective than supplements. Here’s some of the most electrolyte-heavy foods:
- Lentils
- Spinach
- Sunflower seeds
- Pickle juice
- Dried apricots
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