hydration

[Banjo]

I have only ever used plain water up to now but have put on a bit of weight in recent years so probably sweat more and wonder if I am needing better hydration.

Have bought some high five zero tabs (pink grapefruit) and been trying them out on casual rides around the local lanes.

My first impression is that they taste refreshing and seem to encourage me to drink more but have only done two hour rides as yet.Using one 750 mil bottle with one tab.

Doing an Audax next week that will take all day and I would normally get through about 4 x 750 ml bottles of water. Are there any dodgy side effects I may encounter from using 4 or 5 tabs in a day?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Don't fall for nonsense words like hydration. They were invented to make you feel you have to re-hydrate which implies a "scientifically-formulated" this or that. There is no need to drink anything other than water for the type of riding you do and eat as normally as possible given that you have to do so on the go. Drink when thirsty. Don't stick to regimes that prescribe X amount per hour. Avoid sugar, whether it is hidden in a pink grapefruit capsule, a "scientifically-formulated"sports drink or honey.

Dodgy side-effects of sugary drinks is type II diabetes.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I get so bored of plain water. I drink much more regularly when its the flavoured tabs. I think i've drunk two bottles of the stuff in a day, but not four. I don't think it gives any adverse effects if you drink too many.

 

[Davos87]

Beer..........you can thank me later.

 

[Sixmile]

Why not just use half a tab per bottle if you're concerned? It gives enough of a flavour and makes your tube last twice as long!

 

[Milkfloat]

Don't fall for nonsense words like hydration. They were invented to make you feel you have to re-hydrate which implies a "scientifically-formulated" this or that. There is no need to drink anything other than water for the type of riding you do and eat as normally as possible given that you have to do so on the go. Drink when thirsty. Don't stick to regimes that prescribe X amount per hour. Avoid sugar, whether it is hidden in a pink grapefruit capsule, a "scientifically-formulated"sports drink or honey.

Dodgy side-effects of sugary drinks is type II diabetes.

High Five does not contain sugar - it is an electrolyte drink.

High5 Zero
Berry Citrus
Per Serving (1 Tablet)
Energy (kj) 34kj
Fat (g) 0
Carbohydrates (g) 0.8
of Which Sugars (g) 0
Protein (g) 0
Salt (g) 0.5
Magnesium 56mg
Potassium 70mg
Calcium 9mg
Vitamin C 28mg
Sodium 200mg
Green Tea 1mg

Seeing as it is an all dayer I would certainly be using them or even just a pinch of salt and sugar. I have had 4/5 tabs in a day without any issues.

 

[Banjo]

The dose recommended is 1 tab / 500 ml so I am already using it a bit weak .

I guess the only way to find out is to try it.I have noticed lately that I finish longer rides feeling a bit unwell even though I still have energy left so Im hoping getting more fluid in will improve the situation.

 

[Dec66]

Dioralyte.

 

[jefmcg]

I find my tummy reacts to sugar free drinks - which isn't that logical, as I don't have to much of them, compared to the amount of food I eat, so it may be a nocebo effect. Sucrolose and sorbitol are not digestible, so if you have too much, it can lead to a lot of stomach distress - but that would be multiple tabs without any food. I just get rumbles and mild cramps. The taste is not that appealing to me either. This is annoying, as I don't drink enough of rides, and flavoured water is much more palatable to me than plain. So I add a bit of lemon squash (without sweeteners) to my water at the start, and have been known to mix orange lucozade 50/50 with water at a Londis. I don't see the harm in sugar on a ride, just a little kindling to the carb fire I have burning. Salt is useful to replace lost salts (but you probably have enough sodium in your diet anyway), but more importantly it speeds up osmosis, so the liquid reaches your bloodstream a little faster.

Most people tolerate them very well, so they should be ok for you. Just add enough that it tastes pleasant and appealing.

Edit: the lucozade I drink has sweeteners!!! Aspartame, Acesulfame K. Damnit! But no wonder I find it way too sweet to drink undiluted, as it's main ingredient is glucose.

 

[Blue Hills]

Why not just use half a tab per bottle if you're concerned? It gives enough of a flavour and makes your tube last twice as long!

Yes, I often do that.

The stuff about it aiding hydration is surely guff. What the hell has water been doing all these millenia.

I use zero tabs, though not many, on longer arduous rides for the electrolytes - may be my imagination but they do seem to help prevent cramp.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd use a splash of Robinsons Barley Water cordial.

 

[si_c]

I use them (the high5 zero tabs) on longer (60+ mile) rides, for two reasons. 1) I get bored of water, it's fine, but I prefer something with a bit of flavour so I put two tabs in a 750ml bottle, which keeps the flavour nice for me. 2) I find that they do reduce cramping during/after the rides so I find them helpful in that regard. It may just be placebo effect, but my legs are not as stiff as when I don't use them.

 

[Blue Hills]

yes, I've never decided if it's placebo effect or not. I have woken up in the middle of the night a couple of times with cramp, staggered to the kitchen to chew on a zero tab and found quick relief. But as I said could be placebo - cramp a mysterious thing - I once got it in both legs at once

 

[Heisenberg71]

I was suffering with cramps earlier this year as I really began to up my mileage. Towards the last third I was suffering. I did a bit of reading and electrolyte tabs seemed a good idea. Tried them, stuck with them....no more cramps.

Not too worried about the sugar given the calories I burn over 80-100 miles. Plus like others I like the taste.
It's not like I'm drinking them every day.

 

[Brightski]

I use squash just coz water gets boring after a while..