TFS Review: CamelBak Elixir
Posted May 16th, 2007 at 2:25 PM by Paul Petersen
Section: Nutrition, Hydration, Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews
Sometimes plain water just isn’t enough for the hydration needs of running. As you sweat, you lose water and electolytes, which both need to be replenished during the hydration process. Traditional sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade, have offered viable electrolyte replacement drinks for years, but their high sugar content translates into an unsavory aftertaste in the opinion of a variety of testers. Moreover, hydration packs are particularly difficult to clean after holding sugary sports drinks.
In an effort to address these issues, CamelBak recently introduced their Elixir Electrolyte Enhanced Hydration as a convenient, no-sugar, no-mess hydration alternative.
The ingredients alone make the Elixir tablets an appealing choice. The electrolyte blend of Manganese, Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, and Chloride works together to re-hydrate the body more quickly and more effectively. Other nutritional information to note is that each tablet contains only 10 calories and over 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C.
I field-tested the Elixir tablets during my recent overnight relay race, and several advantages, which were also reported by our other testers, were immediately apparent:
- Portability .The tablets are easy to pack, and can fit in nearly any pocket or carrying case and the storage compartments on CamelBaks, Fuel Belts and other such devices.
- No mess. My favorite powdered mixes tend to splash all over the counter as I pour them. No powder or mixing with the Elixir tablet: just plop them in and they dissolve almost instantly (one tablet per 24 oz of water). Cleaning the container is a breeze as well, since there are no sticky sugars to contend with.
- Non-offensive taste. I wouldn’t order it in a restaurant or anything, but it tastes better than water, and it doesn’t stick with you for a long time like some other flavored sports drinks. There’s nothing worse than burping up Gator-breath during the middle of a race, but the Elixir drink goes down (and stays down) like water, because it essentially is water, plus a few vitamins and minerals. Currently, Elixir is available in a lemon-lime flavor, although we were told that additional flavors are on the way.
A good sports drink will give enhanced hydration compared to plain water by providing electrolytes and also by inducing increased consumption. In other words, people will drink more because it tastes good!
The CamelBak Elixir tablets succeed in both these basic tasks. In addition, people watching their calories will want to give the Elixir a try simply because it provides this enhanced hydration without the overhead of sugar.
Since Elixir contains no sugar, runners who rely on sports drinks for extra glycogen during marathons or ultra-marathons should either supplement the Elixir with food or gels during their races, or simply continue to use sugar-bearing sports drinks. Calories equal fuel, so keep that in mind when picking your sports drink. However, for events that last two hours or less, glycogen depletion is usually not an issue, and there is no downside to using Elixir as a substitute to sugar-bearing sports drinks.
Whether you are using a hydration pack or a water bottle, the CamelBak Elixir tablets provide a great, sugar-free hydration alternative to traditional sports drinks. Their portability, ease-of-use, and effortless cleanup can be utilized during trail adventures, races, training runs, or even at your desk at work.
For more information on Elixir, please visit: www.CamelBak.com
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: camelbak, electrolyte, electrolyte tablets, electrolytes, elixir, gatorade, portable electrolyte drink, portable electrolyte hydration, portable electrolyte tablets, powerade, product review, review, salt, sports drink, sugar free, tablet
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[…] Filed under Announcements, Nutrition, Hydration, Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews. ***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other … Original post by Paul Petersen Share This […]
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