Acli-mate vs Zaca (Mountain Supplements)

Acli-mate

When it comes to optimizing your performance and well-being in the mountains, choosing the right supplement can make a significant difference. In this article, we will compare two popular brands that are Colorado-based: Acli-mate vs Zaca.

Acli-mate vs Zaca

Both of these mountain supplements, Acli-mate and Zaca, offer unique benefits that can enhance your experience in high-altitude environments. Let's dive into the details and help you make an informed decision.

Acli-mate

Acli-mate drink is a Colorado brand that specializes in creating a supplement tailored for mountain enthusiasts.

With a focus on energy, hydration, and altitude sickness — Acli-mate aims to support your body's performance at higher elevations. As a sports drink powder, it is a great way to acclimate, hydrate, and perform better.

What Are The Benefits Of Acli-mate?

Acli-mate is a sports drink supplement that aim to optimize performance particularly at high altitudes. The brand focuses on providing a powdered mix solution to the challenges faced by individuals engaging in mountain climbing, hiking, skiing, biking, and other similar activities.

Let's explore the key features of Acli-mate:

  • Altitude Sickness
  • Energy
  • Hydration
  • Travel
  • Electrolytes, vitamins and minerals
  • Gluten Free
  • No Artificial Colors Or Flavors

Whether you're embarking on a challenging hike or conquering a mountain peak, Acli-mate can be a great supplement for proper hydration and supporting high-altitudes.

What Are The Ingredients In Acli-mate Drink?

With a combination of electrolytes, vitamins and herbs — some of the key ingredients in Acli-mate include B vitamins, electrolytes, Rhodiola, and Ginkgo Biloba.

B Vitamins: Acli-mate incorporates various B vitamins, such as B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin).

Electrolytes: Acli-mate supplements contain a balanced blend of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. 

Rhodiola: Acli-mate utilizes the adaptogenic herb Rhodiola in its formulation.

Ginkgo Biloba: Another herbal ingredient found in Acli-mate is Ginkgo Biloba.

Acli-Mate Drink Ingredients:

  • Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract - 50mg
  • Schizandra Berry - 25mg
  • Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract - 10mg
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - 60mg
  • Thiamin (B1 as Thiamine Hydrochloride) - 1mg
  • Riboflavin (B2 as Riboflavin) - 0.8mg
  • Niacin (B3 as Niacinamide) - 10mg
  • Vitamin (B6 as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) - 1mg
  • Folate (B9 as Folic Acid) - 87mcg
  • Vitamin (B12 as Cyanocobalamin) - 2mcg
  • Pantothenic acid (B5 as D-Calcium Pantothenate) - 5mg
  • Calcium (Calcium Lactate) - 200mg
  • Magnesium (Magnesium Carbonate) - 100mg
  • Chloride (Sodium Chloride) - 75mg
  • Sodium (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Chloride) - 105mg
  • Potassium (Potassium Bicarbonate) - 95mg

Other Ingredients:

  • Organic Cane Sugar
  • Citric Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Natural Grape Flavor
  • Grape Skin Extract
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Grape Juice Powder
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Stevia Leaf Extract
  • Lo Han Fruit Extract

This concludes the ingredients utilized in the Acli-Mate formula.

Synthetic Vitamins Warning

In our review of Acli-mate drink, we found it is loaded with many synthetic vitamins including a B complex and vitamin C.

Synthetic vitamins are not naturally occurring, can negatively effect bioavailability, and also have other potential side-effects.

Synthetic Vitamins In Acli-mate:

  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - As the synthetic form of vitamin C, it's missing natural flavonoids and is usually made form genetically modified corn sugar and acetone.⁵
  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride) - Synthetic vitamin B1 is made from acetone, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, and coal tar. It's known to be less absorbable in the body.⁵
  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) -  Synthetic riboflavin is shown to be less bioavailable and made from acetic acid and nitrogen.⁵
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) - Nicotinamide is a synthesized vitamin B known to be made from nylon and cadaverine.⁶
  • Vitamin B5 (D-Calcium Pantothenate) - D-Calcium pantothenate is known as a synthetic form of vitamin B5.
  • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) - Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, the synthetic form of vitamin B6, is made partially from formaldehyde and petroleum, and could actually inhibit the natural vitamin in your body.⁵
  • Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) - Folic acid is not naturally found in foods and is commonly added to fortify products. However, it is not easily absorbable in most people.
  • Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) - One of the worst synthetic vitamins, the toxic compound cyanide is used to make cyanocobalamin.

These synthetic vitamin B's and C often missing flavonoids and phytonutrients contained in natural vitamins that make them work. For many of these reasons listed above, we don't believe synthetic vitamins in Acli-Mate are the best choice, nor are optimally effective.

Lower Bioavailable Magnesium

The type of magnesium used by Acli-Mate, magnesium carbonate, has lower bioavailability than other forms.⁷ Magnesium carbonate is estimated to have an absorption rate of only approximately 5%.⁸

If you're looking for a better magnesium than Acli-Mates, magnesium citrate is supposed to have one of the highest absorption rates.

Dangers Of Sugar

Sugar is used in many hydration products including Acli-Mate, however, we believe it's a danger and should not be used on a daily basis.

Unless you're clinically dehydrated or malnourished, sugar is not essential to consume. Furthermore, there's many dangerous side effects to overconsumption of sugar including increasing insulin levels, inducing fatigue, weight gain, and causing energy crashes.

Downsides of Sugar:⁹

  • Increased insulin levels
  • Energy spike and crash
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Hormone interference
  • Acne
  • Depression

Due to the downsides of sugar, we don't believe the Acli-Mate formula is optimal for health and hydration. Sugar-free supplements are a better option.

Acli-mate vs Zaca 

We put Acli-mate to the test against our Zaca chewables.

Here's what we found — we believe Zaca offers a superior, more bioavailable, and healthier altitude and hydration supplement.

Engineered in Colorado, Zaca uses not only whole-food and plant-based nutrients, it's formulated without sugar and synthetic vitamins. Zaca is made from natural and fermented ingredients, sugar-free, quick-to-take, no-water-needed, and with raving reviews by thousands of customers.

Acli-Mate vs Zaca Comparison Chart:

  Zaca
Acli-mate
Amazon Review Star Rating 4.5 4.4
Added Sugar 0g 6g
High-Altitude Formulated
✔️
✔️
Hydration Support
✔️
✔️
Herbal Ingredients
✔️
✔️
Performance Enhancing
✔️
✔️
Multi-Purpose Formula
✔️
✔️
Gluten Free
✔️
✔️
Vegan Friendly
✔️
✔️
High Bioavailability
✔️
 
Sugar Free
✔️
 
Amino Acid Fortified
✔️
 
GMO Free
✔️
 
No Synthetic Vitamins
✔️
 
High In Antioxidants
✔️
 
Fast-Acting
✔️
 
Quick To Take
✔️
 
Glutathione Fortified
✔️
 
No Water Required
✔️
 


In conclusion, we believe Zaca has the advantages as the healthier, synthetic-free supplement. As a chewable tablet, it also is a speedier and more convenient product with fast results without having the hassle to mix with water.

Zaca, The Superior Mountain Supplement

Altitude Acclimation Supplements
Unlock your peak performance with our Zaca Chewables, the superior mountain supplement meticulously crafted for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and travelers. Packed with powerful antioxidants and revitalizing nutrients, our formula support your body to rehydrate, replenish and recover fast. The chewables are made in easy-to-take packets, making it easy to carry and consume wherever your journey takes you. Simply take 2-3 chewables per day or as needed. Try Zaca's chewable supplement today and support your mountain treks.











 

SOURCES:

1. Acli-mate Sports Drink and Altitude Sickness Remedy
https://acli-mate.com/
2. Acli-mate Mountain Sport Drinks Colorado Cran-raspberry
https://acli-mate.com/acli-mate-mountain-sport-drinks-colorado-cran-raspberry/
3. Acli-mate Ingredients
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/acli-mate-mountain-sport-drink-altitude-&-energy-aid-packets-mountain-grape/ID=prod6188552-product
4. Acli-mate - Buy On Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Acli-Mate-Mountain-Sport-Cran-Raspberry-13-8-Ounce/dp/B00FZ7CNY4
5. Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamins – What’s the Big Difference?
https://sunwarrior.com/blogs/health-hub/natural-vs-synthetic-vitamins
6. The difference between synthetic and natural ABC vitamins in natural skin care
https://simplicite.com.au/blogs/skin-care-101/how-to-compare-synthetic-and-natural-abc-vitamins-in-natural-skin-care
7. Magnesium Carbonate, Citrate, Glycinate: What’s The Difference?
https://naturalcalm.ca/magnesium-carbonate-citrate-glycinate-whats-the-difference/
8. Magnesium Absorption
https://www.wiseowlhealth.com/magnesium-absorption/
9. Chewable Electrolytes That Aren't Loaded With Sugar
https://zacalife.com/blogs/blog/chewable-electrolytes-that-arent-loaded-with-sugar