New Hydration Formulas and Rehydration in Healthy Adults

Liquid IV sponsors a random, placebo-controlled semi-blind crossover study.

Dr. Richard Bloomer, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, received a $343k award from Liquid IV, for the project “A Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Semi-Blind, Crossover Study to Evaluate the Effects of Two Novel Hydration Beverage Formulas on Rehydration in Healthy Adults.” This is the second project his group will conduct with Liquid IV, a Unilever company.

Maintaining adequate hydration is essential to optimal health, as well as athletic performance. When individuals exercise (in particular in a warm environment), they can lose excessive amounts of fluids through sweat, along with necessary electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. With dehydration, individuals often feel sluggish, and performance can be impaired. 

The use of electrolytes, of varying concentrations and combinations, has been used for decades to aid athlete hydration and has led to the development of various sport drinks. This study will evaluate the hydration effects of two powder-based electrolyte products dissolved in water (Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier and Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier) compared to water only. The products will be consumed following a 90-minute bout of cycling exercise performed in a warm environment (86-89°F) by physically trained men and women. Subjects will report to the lab on three separate occasions to consume one of the three drinks in random order. The drinks will be consumed during the post-exercise period, and hydration status will be monitored for four hours post-exercise.

Findings from this study should provide further clarification as to whether sport drinks provide additional hydration benefits beyond water alone, and whether the addition of carbohydrate to the electrolyte mix yields greater benefit than electrolyte alone. Interested individuals can learn more about this study and others performed within the College of Health Sciences by contacting Allyson Davis at laboswll@memphis.edu.