ELECTROLYTES
Endurance sessions mean attention to hydration and electrolyte balance. Sweating is your body’s defence system against overheating. Unfortunately, though, when you sweat you lose some important minerals known as electrolytes, including sodium and potassium. Electrolytes support a number of bodily functions, including energy production and fluid balance. Top your reserves up with the following products.
Precision Fuel & Hydration PF 1500 (packets) £9.99 (8 servings), precisionhydration.com
This product comes out on top, because it has the best formulation for endurance sports, including significantly more sodium compared with the other electrolytes. That’s what you need if you’re going long distance, because sodium is by far the electrolyte we lose the most of and therefore have a greater need to replace. A small amount of added sugar helps to activate the sodium-glucose cotransporters, boosting hydration further. Finally, the amount of carbs has been well thought through, because it is ‘hypotonic’, which again is better for hydration.
WHY WE LIKE IT
• Great for heavy sweaters, with high sodium losses
• Fantastic, well-thought-out formulation
• Ability to personalise (by choosing the 500, 1000 or 1500 product)
WHAT YOU GET
• 1,500mg sodium
• No artificial ingredients
• Informed Sport approved
Precision Fuel & Hydration PF 1500 (tablets) £8.99 (10 servings), precisionhydration.com
Precision Fuel & Hydration takes second spot too, because – as the name suggests, the products are precise. They provide exact drinking directions, which mean you get a consistent amount of sodium per litre of fluid consumed. In fact, that’s what the PH1500 stands for: there will be 1,500mg of sodium in this product per litre, when mixed according to their pack instructions. I often advise this as part of a specific ‘hyperhydration’ sports nutrition strategy for my endurance clients, before they compete in the heat.
WHY WE LIKE IT
• Perfect for a hyperhydration strategy
• Unflavoured to reduce flavour fatigue
• Highly specific directions for use (great for providing consistent results)
WHAT YOU GET
• 1,500mg sodium
• 16 calories per tablet
• Vegan-friendly