Participating in
winter activities where the weather is cold and dry increases your fluid loss,
especially at altitude. We all know that hydration and electrolyte
replenishment is the key to continual high performance, but cold weather
exercise can easily impair your ability to recognize fluid depletion.
I find it difficult
to stay hydrated when outside all day in the winter. I either don’t realize I
am dehydrated or find it too difficult or cold to drink large amounts in
certain situations. Instead, I tend to pound back the liquids before I go out
in the morning and again once I get home (I am not recommending this for everyone).
For rehydrating, I
normally stay far away from sports drinks or energy drinks because of all the
sugar and carbohydrates involved. Nuun recently sent me some of their Active
Hydration tablets to add to my water at the end of the day in order to help
replace the electrolytes I have lost while outside having fun ice climbing or skiing all
day.
Nuun Active Hydration takes a different
approach to rehydration by simply delivering the electrolytes that you need and
leaving it up to you to replace your energy stores how you see fit. One
effervescent tablet makes 16 oz. of Nuun and delivers 360 mg Sodium, 100 mg
Potassium, 25 mg Magnesium, and 13 mg Calcium along with a host of other
vitamins and minerals.
Each Active
Hydration tablet contains less than 1g of carbs and fewer than 8 calories. No
sugar. No high-fructose corn syrup. No artificial flavors or colors.
I can’t scientifically say whether or not adding a tablet to my water at the end of the day has made a huge impact, but I have been able to get outside ice climbing all day in the cold Colorado weather for the past two weeks with only one rest day and feel pretty great so far.
Each tube of Nuun contains 12 individual tablets. Nuun Active Hydration comes in 11 different flavors
and retails for $6.50.