Hydration for headaches
Nothing beats water when it comes to refueling when your tank is low. But sometimes water isn’t enough. Especially if you’ve been exercising, or nauseated and vomiting from migraine attacks, or if the bland taste has got you bored, there are several ways you can juice up nature’s most abundant and invaluable resource.
Summer heat is picking up, and with Amazon deals going on from July 8 - 11, the time is right to invest in your hydration and your health. Check out our top picks for hydration supplements and nutrition support below.
Key considerations when choosing a hydration multiplier
Here are some of the ingredients or features to look for in a hydration supplement:
What electrolytes are included? When you sweat, you lose more than just water. You are losing sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl), and these need replacement just like the H2O they are housed in. Drinking ONLY water when you are sweating can deplete your stores of sodium and chloride leading to fatigue, muscle weakness, and other health problems. But too much sodium can also be a bad thing. Magnesium (Mg) is a key electrolyte in neuromuscular activity and brain function. When magnesium stores are low, the muscles can become weak and your exercise capacity may deteriorate. ALSO, moderate-to-high doses of magnesium every day (400-800mg) can be helpful in preventing migraine attacks!
Sugar content. A little bit of glucose can go a long way, especially if you are low on blood sugar. But too much extra sugar can take its toll on your health as well. If you are consuming energy (exercising, for example), you need energy to replace it. If you are looking to stay hydrated and eating well, choosing a hydration supplement without glucose or sugar-free alternatives might be a better fit for you.
Cost. Ultimately, if you are eating a balanced diet rich with fruits and vegetables—or if you take a daily vitamin or other nutritional supplement—you’re likely getting plenty of electrolytes and nutrients. Unless you are a marathoner or training for the next Ninja Warrior competition, you may not need to attend to all the detail regarding how many milligrams of chloride or calcium are in your hydration multiplier. More important to you may be how much you spend on these supplements in the short- and long-term. Don’t get fooled by all the gimmicks of how many more B vitamins or natural elements come in these packages if you’re just looking to spruce up your water! Ensuring you are getting enough of the core ingredient (H2O) is the most important goal of this process!!
#1 OVERALL TOP PICK
Our top pick is ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS Hydration packets. Not only is it one of the most AFFORDABLE options on the internet, it also contains many of your key electrolytes without a loss of flavor! Among the benefits include purchases support SMALL BUSINESS! Electrolytes include:
Sodium, chloride, magnesium
Vitamin C
Cost | $1.60/serving
#2 Choice, preferred by the Columnist
The most tried and true pick recommended by our team is Liquid IV. I have personally used this for years during cycling training and find it tasty, affordable, and energizing. The numerous flavor options provide added variety and make you feel like you’re drinking lemonade. For a modest price, you get the following benefits:
No extra caffeine (although some formulations have added caffeine for xtra energy!)
Contains key ingredients like sodium, B vitamins, vitamin C
Variations of Liquid IV include other vital elements
Great flavor! (our kids think it tastes like “juice”)
Cost | $1.50-1.75/serving
#3 Comprehensive electrolyte replacement for great value
Here we need to give credit to the makers of LMNT. These powerful packets come with the following perks:
Key elements sodium, potassium, and magnesium (not included in Liquid IV)
No added sugars
Great taste!
Cost | $1.50-$2.00/serving
“Nothing beats water when it comes to refueling when your tank is low.”
#4 Most BANG for your BUCK
Easily the most affordable and complete electrolyte replacement package on the market would be Nuun. Marketed specifically for sports hydration, Nuun can replace your key electrolytes whether you are on the treadmill or a telephone call. The effervescent dissolvable tablets include each of the essential elements
Sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium
Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s cheap!
Cost | $0.46/serving
#5 The most natural hydration multiplier
Marketed as the most natural solution to your hydration and electrolyte needs, NativePath Hydrate Sticks are pretty much multivitamins that dissolve in your water. Complete with over a dozen vitamins and electrolytes, as well as amino acids for protein building, and other key ingredients, NativePath is a strong competitor of the electrolyte supplements listed above. (I have not tried this supplement yet, but am definitely considering it!)
Cost | $1.50/serving
