The Science of Hydration


How Important Is Hydration?

We all know what severe dehydration looks like: You get thirsty, your skin becomes flushed, and you start cramping. As you grow more and more dehydrated, you may become dizzy, develop a headache, feel nauseated, or even get the chills.

The problem is once you get to this point, it’s already too late and you’re stuck doing damage control.

Regardless of whether you’re a high-performance athlete or simply someone striving to stay healthy and alert in daily life, staying hydrated throughout the day is critical. Why? Because even low levels of dehydration negatively affect everything from cognitive to physical performance.

Studies found that just a modest level of dehydration (1% or greater) was found to correlate with compromised cognitive function, reaction time, short-term memory, mood regulation, and other cognitive markers.

When it comes to athletic performance, the effect of mild to moderate dehydration becomes even more noticeable. Dehydration leading to just 2% body mass reduction—an extremely common occurrence, especially within the realm of endurance sports—has been shown to significantly decrease athletic performance and even post-exercise recovery.



Furthermore, consuming fluids “when thirsty” usually isn't enough—the science shows that athletes often don't feel thirsty until they reach 2% dehydration, at which point the effects on performance have already taken hold. Even when allowed access to fluids based on thirst and voluntary intake, humans typically only replace 66% of the fluids lost in sweat during exercise.

This means that people—especially athletes—are often in a perpetual state of dehydration.

So, just drink more water, right? Well, hydration is more than just water. When you sweat, you lose vital electrolytes that keep your body functioning optimally.

These electrolytes include very specific ratios of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. So it makes sense that an electrolyte replacement drink should contain the entire mineral complex in the right ratios and not just load you up on one or two.

All Fluid and Fluid Tactical hydration products are formulated with the same ratios of electrolytes that you lose in sweat to keep you running at your best all day long.


Which Hydration Product Is Right for Me?


Like all aspects of nutrition, hydration is very personal. A runner training in the Arizona summertime might require very different levels of rehydration than someone mowing their lawn in a cooler climate.

There are too many factors that go into hydration—e.g. activity type, weather, individual sweat rate variability, etc.—to have a standard that works perfectly for everyone. That’s why Fluid offers a variety of different products tailored to different needs. 


Fluid Performance

Fluid Performance is our original cramp-crushing endurance fuel. Its carb and electrolyte combo have earned it many nicknames, from "go-go juice" to "gasoline." Aimed at athletes looking to fuel and hydrate simultaneously, it uses a complex carb foundation to support energy levels while providing a complete mineral profile to replenish the electrolytes you lose in sweat.

Tactical Electrolyte Drink Mix & Tablets
Originally created for firefighters working under the toughest conditions, Fluid Tactical Electrolyte Drink Mix and Electrolyte Tablets have been adopted by everyone from athletes to regular people looking to stay hydrated in their day-to-day lives. Low sugar and all-natural colors and flavors make them the perfect choice for everyday hydration. (Also available in zero sugar flavors!)
Tactical ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution)
Tactical ORS is the heavy hitter in the hydration game. Formulated with over 800mg of sodium per serving (as well as 3x more electrolytes than your average sports drink), ORS is perfect for salty sweaters, those pre-hydrating for a long day of working out in the heat, or for people looking to quickly recover from severe dehydration.

 

Source: McDermott et al., National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Fluid replacement for the physically active. Journal of Athletic Training, 877–895.