Should Sugar Be In Your Hydration Drink?

Should Sugar Be In Your Hydration Drink?

We've had a lot of people ask us the same question lately.

"Since your protein-infused hydration product, ProLoco, has zero sugar, will it help me hydrate effectively?"

This question stems from a very popular marketing pitch hydration companies use.

They say something like...

"Our product uses a unique combination of glucose (sugar) and electrolytes that  hydrate you 2-3x faster than water!"

So is it true or just marketing BS?

The short answer is that it's BOTH.

Here are some things you need to consider! 

The Discovery of ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts)

In the 1960's a chemist by the name of Dr. Robert K. Crane discovered that the body's ability to absorb sodium was dependent on glucose (sugar).

When glucose is in the small intestine, sodium is absorbed more quickly, which draws more water into the bloodstream.

In other words, the right ratio of glucose and sodium accelerates the rate at which water is absorbed by the body.

The WHO (World Health Organization) later used that concept to create a treatment for life threatening dehydration that didn't require needles and a traditional IV.

They called it ORS and it was a simple oral solution made up of glucose and electrolytes.

The result was the ability to rehydrate the body faster than water alone could.

The key word here is faster, not better. 

Who ORS is For

ORS is a legit scientific breakthrough that has saved lives and helped thousands of people suffering from severe dehydration.

What you need to know is that this unique combination of sugar and electrolytes was first developed for kids with severe diarrhea who didn't have access to traditional IV solutions and needed to rehydrate fast to literally avoid dying.

It was never intended to be a rehydration solution for people in stable health.

Unless you're in a dire circumstance where you're severely dehydrated, OR you're using a hydration product to boost athletic performance you must question the necessity of one key ingredient that makes the whole thing possible. 

SUGAR.

The Bigger Picture

Did you know that sugar can have similar effects on the brain as cocaine?

It's a powerful substance and while it's okay and necessary to consume it in small amounts, it wreaks havoc on the body if over consumed.

If you look at widespread health issues in America, you'll see that sugar is at the root of almost all of them. 

As a country, we're overdosing on sugar and it's killing us, literally.

Sugar speeds up the rehydration process but unless you're on the verge of dying of dehydration, you'll benefit far more from skipping the sugar.

Electrolytes are what you need to focus on replenishing and ProLoco is full of them!

Plus, the unique combination of electrolytes, protein, and vitamins are meant to help you ditch sugary junk drinks/snacks so needless to say sugar didn't make the cut!

To clear things up once and for all, the absence of sugar DOES NOT make a hydration drink ineffective.

Weigh the Pros & Cons

Without a doubt, there's a time and place for a hydration drink that utilizes sugar to hydrate the body faster than water alone.

Spoiler Alert: We're actually working on a similar product.

But Wait! I thought you just said sugar was the root of all evil.

No, that's not it at all. 

We believe every person is unique and so we want to make sure we educate people on the cost/benefit of taking a hydration product with sugar AND we believe sugar should be used mindfully.

Companies that ignore that fact and spit out marketing BS to make you think that their solution is best without warning you about sugar are more concerned with their bottomline than your health.

Active lifestyle people who are not training for any specific athletic endeavor and want to look and feel their best should stick with zero sugar ProLoco. 

Its unique combination of ingredients help promote lean muscle, crush cravings, provide optimal hydration, and provide much needed energy to help you power through your day all in one delicious & refreshing drink.

Athletes, especially those involved in endurance sports, may want to consider a hydration solution that utilizes sugar to speed up the rehydration process, but even they should weigh the pros & cons carefully because, in most circumstances, a zero sugar hydration solution will be just as effective.

At the end of the day, it's your call but now you're armed with the info to make the right decision!

P.S. You can learn more about ProLoco by clicking here!