From sports to flying to hangovers, the benefits of electrolytes and hydration tablets
- Athletes have been taking them for years, but did you know you can also use electrolyte tablets to treat hangovers and recover from flights more quickly?
- We look at six popular brands of hydration tablets available in Hong Kong
Runners have long known the value of hydration tablets – also known as electrolyte tablets – which contain electrolytes such as sodium and potassium that your body needs to be properly hydrated. There are a handful of brands that cater to this sporting niche, and a new kid on the block is squeezing into the market with a product it claims offers more than the standard fare.
“The key difference is that Phizz is a hybrid formula – it combines hydration mixture, vitamins and minerals. So, it’s ideal for long-haul flights, sport, hangovers and general wellness,” says Phizz co-founder Daniel Cray.
Cray believes it’s well suited to Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong’s humid climate and the work-hard, play-hard culture with a high-powered office environment and social scene mean it’s a dream market for Phizz,” says Cray, who lived in Hong Kong as a child.
Most of the time you don’t need to worry about electrolytes as they are readily available in your diet.
The challenge comes during intense exercise when you sweat out a lot of electrolytes. Rehydrating by drinking just water can dilute the electrolytes in your body and in extreme cases can lead to hyponatremia, a low concentration of sodium which leads to a decreased ability to think, headache, nausea, and poor balance.