It’s only June and already there is a record heat wave gripping the southwest states. Usually the intense heat doesn’t start until July but it’s getting an early start this year and not just in the south. It has been hot here in Illinois this year too with heat indexes up in the 100’s.
If you are working outdoors in the heat whether it be biking, running or gardening, you need to quench your thirst with something other than water.
You Need More Than Water
Water is a great hydrator. It’s almost always available, has zero calories, and flushes toxins out of your body. There are many more reasons why it’s good to drink plenty of water every day and you need even more when it’s hot.
But, if you’re only drinking water, you are losing precious nutrients through fluid loss from sweating in the heat. The major electrolytes found in the body include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphate and chloride. When these minerals become too low you may notice unpleasant – and sometimes dangerous – symptoms. Muscle weakness, an irregular heartbeat, a change in blood pressure, confusion, numbness and even seizures can occur when you have an electrolyte deficiency.
Sport Drinks Aren’t The Best Solution
Popular sports drinks advertise that they offer electrolyte replacement and provide potassium and sodium but they come with some other not-so-helpful ingredients like sugar or artificial sweeteners. A serving of Gatorade Cool Blue Thirst Quencher has 150 calories, 250 mg of sodium, 65 mg of potassium, 39 grams of carbohydrates and 35 grams (8.75 teaspoons) of sugar. Other flavors and brands have similar ingredient labels.
A better option for electrolyte loss is the Nunn Active tablets that provide more total replacement. Nunn tablets come in a variety of flavors, have only 4 grams of sugar and contain 38 mg of magnesium, 25 mg of sodium, 360 mg of potassium. Replacing magnesium is key to reducing muscle cramps and twitches, weakness, irritability and even vomiting and diarrhea. Plus magnesium moves the other electrolytes into and out of the cells so it’s a must have in any electrolyte replacement.
The Nunn tablets only have 10 calories per tablet.
Nutritional information per tablet is below:
You can purchase Nunn Active from Amazon or any sports store. They cost about $6 per tube of 10 tabs which comes out to less than 10 bottles of most of the popular sports drinks.
I began using the Nunn Active tablets when I began spring training for a half marathon. The temperature was above average and on the long runs I sweat so much I could wring my clothes when I was done. Water wasn’t taking care of my thirst or fatigue. The Nunn tablets made a big difference in my ability to fully recover quicker. I notice a marked difference in the way I felt after using the tablets.
The tablets dissolve in water and are slightly fizzy. I’ve read some reviews where people have said they think they are too fizzy but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. The taste is not overbearing either.
If you want to stay physically active in the summer heat and be able to stay on top of your game, an electrolyte replacement link Nunn Active will help.
Have you tried the tablets? If so, share your thoughts in the comment box below.