Electrolyte Tablets: Comprehensive Guide & Top 3 Brands
In the realm of fitness, travel and wellness, electrolyte tablets stand as indispensable aid. As a supplement maker, this comprehensive guide will help you learn everything you need to know about electrolyte tablets along with the best options.
Electrolyte Tablets
Electrolyte tablets, often hailed as the secret weapon of athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, play a pivotal role in maintaining optimal electrolyte balance within the body, thereby enhancing performance, accelerating recovery, and promoting overall well-being.
What Do Electrolyte Tablets Do?
Electrolyte tablets, also called hydration tablets, are specially formulated supplements designed to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat during physical activity or with nutrient deficits as a result of various health conditions.
These essential minerals, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, are critical for proper muscle function, nerve transmission, hydration, and pH balance within the body.
Electrolyte Tablets Benefits
Electrolyte tablets have gained widespread recognition for their ability to provide a multitude of benefits, ranging from optimizing athletic performance to supporting your muscles and fluid balance. Let's explore the advantages and benefits that electrolyte tablets offer.
Electrolyte Tablets Benefits: [¹⁴]
- Support hydration and replenishment
- Improve recovery
- Regulate blood pressure
- Aid fluid balance
- Help muscle cramps
- Reduce fatigue
- Avoid heat stroke
- Support muscle contraction
- Enhance athletic performance
With a plethora of benefits that cater to the diverse needs, electrolyte tablets are a great supplement for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, travelers, marathon runners, hikers, skiers, and simply anyone seeking to optimize hydration and electrolyte balance.
Do Electrolyte Tablets Really Help With Hangovers?
While most people think electrolytes tablets help with hangovers, we found research stating otherwise that electrolytes do not help with hangovers.
WIRED magazine highlighted a study: [¹⁵]
- "in dehydrated people with hangovers, levels of electrolytes don’t differ too much from baseline controls—and when they do, they don’t correlate with hangover severity.”
Considering that study, electrolytes might not be as promising as some believe. That being said, we still believe it can have some benefits to help hangovers but just not quite the silver bullet.
What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Electrolytes?
While most electrolytes appear not to be harmful, research shows certain forms of calcium can be potentially problematic to your health.
Calcium is commonly found in electrolyte tablets in synthetic form, such as calcium carbonate specifically derived from limestone. It’s shown that the body can only absorb a small percentage and has risks of adverse effects.³
Too much calcium in the blood can also cause a condition known as hypercalcemia.¹¹
Potential side effects from taking calcium electrolytes:
- Muscle twitching
- Low phosphate levels
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Gas
- High calcium levels
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Muscle twitching
- Confusion
- Bone pain
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Irritability
Other forms of calcium that could be an issue too are calcium citrate, calcium chelate, and tricalcium phosphate.[²][³]
Is It OK To Drink Electrolytes Everyday?
Yes, it is okay to drink electrolytes everyday, as long as the product does not contain sugar.
Sugar, or even worse when it’s added sugar, is unhealthy to be consuming on a daily basis. Negative health consequences can include weight gain,⁶ diabetes, liver problems, sleeping issues, cavities, and even surprising to most it can cause dehydration.⁷
Opt for sugar-free electrolyte tablets. We would also be careful of the source and quantity of calcium in the electrolyte tablets you’re taking.
Is There A Downside To Drinking Electrolytes?
We believe there’s not much of a downside of drinking electrolytes outside of the two potential ingredients of concern we pointed out:
-
Sugar - too much consumption
-
Calcium - intake issues and side effects
Outside of those ingredients, basic electrolytes that are sourced pure and natural should have mainly upside.
How Do You Feel When Your Electrolytes Are Low?
Electrolytes play so many roles in the body, from nervous and cardiac functions to digestive and muscular systems.
When your electrolytes are low or imbalanced, you may experience a range of symptoms that can not only impact how you feel but your overall well-being and performance.
11 ways you might feel when your electrolytes are depleted: [¹][¹¹]
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Muscle Cramps
- Muscle Spasms
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Nausea
- Digestive Discomfort
- Headaches
- Cognitive Impairment
Keep aware of these potential symptoms as it’s your body’s way to tell you it’s out of balance and potentially a sign to replenish with electrolyte tablets.
Top 3 Brands For Electrolyte Tablets
Among the myriad of electrolyte tablet options, three standout products have garnered acclaim for their efficacy, convenience, and overall performance.
As a supplement maker, we’ll give you our best insights.
Let's delve into the top three electrolyte tablets:
1. Zaca Chewable Tablets
Zaca Chewable Tablets are a top choice for individuals seeking a convenient and portable solution for hydration on-the-go.
Crafted with a potent blend of amino acids such as glutamine for hydration support and antioxidants for the boost you need.
What makes Zaca different among all electrolyte tablets is that it’s a berry-flavored chewable that you can take fast, with or without water. Without the requirement of water, these chewables can be used when traveling, running, or even recovering from a night out — no hassle of water bottles, mixing powders, or popping pills.
For best use, take 2-4 chewables per day or as you need.
2. Nuun Hydration Tablets
Nuun Hydration Tablets have earned a following among athletes and fitness enthusiasts for their effervescent formula and array of refreshing flavors.
Packed with common electrolytes including calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium and potassium — you can dissolve in water to deliver essential minerals with each sip.
Whether you're pounding the pavement, hitting the trails, or sweating it out in the gym, these Nuun electrolyte tablets give you a delicious way to stay hydrated. In addition, they were clinically shown to improve fluid balance.¹⁶
Two potential downsides of Nuun to consider though is that it’s formulated with added sugar and calcium.
3. SiS Electrolyte Tablets
SiS Electrolyte Tablets are a cutting-edge solution designed to replenish electrolytes and fuel performance during intense physical activity.
Formulated with a blend of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium — calibrated to replenish vital minerals lost through sweat during exercise.
By restoring electrolyte balance in the body and including B vitamins, these SiS tablets help hydration, muscle cramps, fatigue, and performance.
These electrolyte tablets do contain sugar, calcium, synthetic vitamins, and sucralose — which can be a factor depending on how clean of a hydration product you want.
In summary, these top three electrolyte tablets – Zaca Chewable Tablets, Nuun Hydration Tablets, and Hydralyte Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets – offer convenient, effective, and delicious ways to stay hydrated.
Electrolyte Tablets Comparison Chart
To compare each of these top electrolyte tablets, we broke them down into a comparison chart.
Electrolyte Tablets Comparison Chart:
|
|
Zaca
|
Nuun
|
SiS
|
|
Amazon Review Star Rating
|
4.6
|
4.5
|
4.6
|
|
Added Sugar
|
0g
|
1g
|
<1g
|
|
Active Ingredients
|
1100 mg
|
528 mg
|
790
|
|
Hydration Support
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
Multi-Purpose Formula
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
Performance Enhancing
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
GMO Free
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
|
Gluten Free
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
Vegan Friendly
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
High Bioavailability
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
✔️
|
|
High Strength
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Sugar Free
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Herbal Ingredients
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Amino Acid Fortified
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
High In Antioxidants
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Fast-Acting
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Quick To Take
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Glutamine Enhanced
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
Glutathione Enhanced
|
✔️
|
|
|
|
No Water Required
|
✔️
|
|
|
Best Electrolyte Chewable Tablet
Revive your body with Zaca, a chewable tablet designed to help you enhance hydration and recovery. Experience the difference with Zaca's unique approach using amino acids, such as glutamine, to increase water absorption and electrolyte intake. Enriched with antioxidants and other nutrients that you won’t find in other hydration supplements, and delivered into a tiny chewable that you can take on-the-go anytime. Whether you're tackling a tough workout, adventuring off on a long trip, or having a couple cocktails, Zaca has got you covered. Simply eat 2-4 berry flavored chewables each day or as needed. Try Zaca’s chewable supplement to hydrate and recover faster!
SOURCES:
1. Signs You Have An Electrolyte Imbalance and Electrolyte Tablets
https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/signs-you-have-an-electrolyte-imbalance
2. Is tricalcium phosphate bad for your health?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321944
3. Natural vs Synthetic Supplements And Why It Matters
https://theaspenclinic.com/natural-vs-synthetic-supplements-why-it-matters/
4. Calcium Carbonate - Electrolyte
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562303/
5. Oral rehydration salts
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FCH-CAH-06.1
6. Reasons Why Sugar Is Bad for Your Health
https://www.atkins.com/how-it-works/library/articles/10-ways-sugar-harms-your-health
7. Dehydrating drinks: Caffeine, sugar, and other ingredients
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dehydrating-drinks
8. SIS Hydro Electrolyte Tablets
https://www.trufit.eu/en/sis-hydro-tablet-20-s
https://www.scienceinsport.com/eu/shop-sis/go-range/go-hydro-tablets/go-hydro-x-3-berry
9. Amazon - SIS Hydro Electrolyte Drink Tablets, Electrolyte Tabs, Hydration, Enhanced Endurance Sports Drink for Running, Cycling, Triathlon, Lemon - 20 Tablets
https://www.amazon.com/Science-Sport-Electrolyte-Hydration-Supplement/dp/B01MY8YG02/
10. Nuun Hydration: Electrolyte Tablets and Powerful Hydration
https://nuunlife.com/
11. Amazon - Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets for Proactive Hydration, Mixed Citrus Berry Flavors, 4 Pack
https://www.amazon.com/Nuun-Hydration-Electrolyte-Essential-Electrolytes/dp/B019GU4ILQ
12. All About Electrolyte Imbalance
https://www.healthline.com/health/electrolyte-disorders
13. Electrolyte Water: Benefits and Myths
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/electrolyte-water
14. SLT07 Hydration tablets: What they do and how to take them
https://styrkr.com/en-us/blogs/stories/slt07-hydration-tablets-what-they-do
15. Everything Science Knows About Hangovers—And How to Cure Them (Electrolytes, Prickly Pear, Hovenia Dulcis)
https://www.wired.com/2014/05/hangover-cure/
16. Impact of Nuun Electrolyte Tablets on Fluid Balance in Active Men and Women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7600513/
