Ideal for larger bottles and longer sessions, GU hydration tablets will see you through intense or prolonged training, writes nutritionist Rob Hobson.
GU Hydration tablets contain a basic mix of electrolytes, but all that’s essential. The sodium content of each tablet (320mg) is enough to support adequate hydration and ward off hyponatraemia during moderate to intense, prolonged exercise. It’s one of the best electrolyte drinks that’s suitable for all types of exercise, though probably not be required for sports that don’t include a significant degree of sweating.
Men’s Fitness verdict
Sweet and tangy, these easy-to-mix electrolyte drink tablets offer a good mix of electrolytes, plus vitamin B6, to replenish you after a workout.- Punchy flavors, although maybe a bit too intense for some
- Good amount of electrolytes in the mix, especially sodium
- Pack size is limited to 12 tablets
- Contains sugar, although minimal
How we tested the best electrolyte drinks
Nutritionist Rob Hobson has tested eight of the best electrolyte drinks to help you find the right one to support your hydration and recovery needs. An award-winning, registered nutritionist and sports nutritionist with over 15 years of experience, Rob is a distinguished expert in the fields of nutrition, health, and sports. During the testing process, Rob tested each electrolyte drink for taste, solubility and effectiveness in terms of their hydration and nutritional benefits.
What are the benefits of GU Hydration Tablets?
I enjoyed the flavor of these electrolyte tablets, which have a nice tang but may be a bit too intense for some people. You only need one tablet to mix with 750ml of water – that’s a large enough serving to get you through a moderate to intense training session. On test, I found the tablet combined well in water and didn’t require any additional shaking to combine.
The tablets are sweetened with a combination of sugar and stevia, although the sugar content is minimal. I also love the fact Vitamin B6 has been added to promote the transport of electrolytes in the body and for its role in energy metabolism and maintaining a healthy nervous system – although it’s worth noting, vitamin B6 is rarely lacking in our diet.
Practicality and price
The packaging is convenient and can easily be thrown into your kit bag or pocket. However, they are only 12 tablets per tube so I’d recommend ordering in bulk. At 55p per serving for the multipacks, they are pretty good value, especially as you dissolve each tablet in 750ml. Plus, there are four varied flavors to choose from – lemon and lime, three berries, orange and strawberry lemonade, so there’s bound to be one you’ll enjoy.
What other electrolyte drinks should I consider?
If the GU hydration tablets do turn out to have a bit too much zing too them for you, I’d recommend trying Nuun Hydration Sport. Nuun is actually my top pick of electrolyte drinks, thanks to its sugar-free natural sweeteners and colors and a strong blend of electrolytes. But, while the 13 different flavors are certainly pleasant, they’re also not the strongest sensations either. Ultimately, taste is subjective, but people with pickier palettes are likely to fare better with Nuun than they are with GU.
Another five-star option you might like is SIS Go Hydro. It comes packed with a considerable 870g of sodium, so if you know that you tend to sweat a lot, this drink could be the one for you. Flavor-wise, I found them more or less as pleasant as the other two brands I mentioned; tangier than Nuun, but tamer than GU.
| Serving size: | 1 tablet in 750ml water |
| Sodium per serving: | 320mg |
| Price per serving: | 55p |
| Flavors: | Lemon and lime, three berries, orange, strawberry lemonade |
