Side by Side Comparison of: Nuun Active Hydration vs Nutribiotic

I liked the old formula while it lasted, but the new one isn't bad! This variety pack has great flavors and easy to take with you when traveling or camping. Very light too! I'm on my fourth reorder and will be buying more. I use them for camping and traveling. I travel a lot for work, and it's not always easy to stay hydrated when you're going from city to city. These tablets help me stay hydrated and taste good doing it! They're also perfect for camping in the summer.

The juice box mix has the following flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Tropical. My rankings are as follows:
1) Fruit Punch - The fruit punch you know and love. Very flavorful and tasty.
2) Strawberry Lemonade - I was most excited about this flavor. It was pretty good, but it was kind of watered down. The flavor was pretty subtle.
3) Grape - I've never been a huge fan of grape flavored beverages, but this one wasn't that bad.
4) Tropical - In my opinion, this is the worst flavor out of the 8 Nuun ones I've tried. It's a weird mix of pineapple and coconut. I like pineapple. I like coconut. I like tropical drinks. But for some reason, this flavor doesn't work for me.

Pros:
- Great hydration. I won't bore you with the ingredients, but they do a fantastic job keeping me hydrated.
- Super packable tubes. The tubes of 10 tablets are super easy to store in a pack.
- Long expiration date. My most recent pack came in August 2016. They don't expire until July 2020! This makes them easy to be a part of your emergency plan.
- Taste. I've tried other hydration tabs with flavors so bad I couldn't finish them. Even my least favorite flavor, tropical, is still good by those standards.

Cons:
- Tabs don't fit through the mouth of a standard disposable water bottle. You can get around this by snapping it in half, but I'm not a fan of getting my hands all over something I'm going to drink.
- Not very fizzy. After the tablets dissolve, the water isn't noticeably fizzier.

Overall: Huge fan of these tabs. Like I've said, I've already bought four four-packs and plan to buy more.

I've been using them mostly when camping or flying around the country for work. I'm on my fourth reorder of the new formula and will likely be buying again. Like I said, I don't notice much of a difference, especially since this is way overpriced at the time of this review.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to stay hydrated on the go, look no further.

The Nuun Hydration, Electrolyte products are fantastic for several uses. Obviously, for hydration at the gym or for other activities that will drain your body of fluids, especially when just drinking water isn't going to do the trick. At the gym, they do the job well without all the sugar and other additives of Gatorade or other type sports drinks. I think they taste much better, too. I have found them in only one grocery store for a much higher price and in limited flavors.

Another use: My pharmacist recommended it to me for my night time leg cramps. The electrolytes help keep them at bay so I don't wake up in the middle of the night hobbling around trying to rid myself of the pain. It could be that all the water I drink during the day in our dry climate reduces my electrolytes, but she says she first tried them on a kayaking trip. She is prone to leg cramps, as well, and was not looking forward to being stuck in the confines of a kayak with a leg cramp. She said she popped 2 tablets in her water bottle and downed it before the trip and it worked wonders. I use one in a glass of water before I go to bed. It isn't 100% effective for the night time leg cramps, but it definitely cuts down on them.

These things are amazing! They really do balance your electrolytes. I had some dental work done which left me very sensitive to cold to the point that I couldn't drink anything without experiencing excruciating pain. As a result, I didn't drink any water for an entire day. I am a person who dehydrates very easily and I normally drink a lot of water. I had no idea what missing just one day would do to me. The next day I woke up with such bad vertigo due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance that I couldn't even walk. I had to bite the bullet and just deal with the pain and drink. I drank one 16 oz. glass of water with one of these tabs and I started to notice an improvement. I drank about half of another glass with another tab and recovered fully. Stupid, I know and I learned my lesson. The only reason I am disclosing my stupidity is to illustrate the fact that these truly work.

Drink lots of water, but when for any reason your electrolytes get out of balance, or you become mildly dehydrated, drink these.

After running the San Francisco Marathon and feeling horrible at the finish due to dehydration, I realized I needed more electrolytes. I had been fueling every 45 minutes with gels and drinking Smart Water, but I needed help with hydration. In my quest to find an electrolyte product that contained mostly natural ingredients while still being carb and sugar free, I found Nuun. I was thrilled to find an alternative to sports drinks, which are way too sweet for me! The only sweetener they use is stevia, which gives you a lightly sweetened refreshing taste without the added sugars, colors, chemicals, or preservatives.

Nuun sent me two tubes of Nuun tabs to review: Nuun Active Hydration in Lemonade and Nuun All Day Hydration in Blueberry Pomegranate. I started using the Nuun Active Hydration after my training runs to help rehydrate and recover quickly. First off, I noticed they helped me recover quickly without that depleted feeling. Often times, after a hard training run, I would feel tired and fatigued later in the day, but not when using Nuun tabs. They left me feeling replenished and rehydrated.

The Lemonade was very refreshing, and I enjoyed the fizzy effervescent feeling when I drank it immediately after the tablet dissolved. If you don’t like the fizz, then let it a sit a few minutes. They are handy little tablets that dissolve right in your water bottle so you can use them during a run, too. I prefer the Nuun Activive Hydration because I need the additional electrolytes after a high intensity run or workout. On my lower intensity days, I use the Nuun All Day Hydration with the added vitamins and minerals. As an endurance athlete, hydration is key and these Nuun tabs make it easy to stay hydrated. You can pop the tube in your purse and always have them with you just in case!
My son used them during band camp this summer, while practicing marching on the football field for two hours in direct sun and heat. They helped him stay focused and hydrated without feeling light headed and nauseous. Our favorite was the Nuun Activie Hydration in Lemonade. The flavors are very light and if you prefer to have them a little more sweet, then just add less water.
From their website...
Which Nuun product is right for YOU?
-Nuun Active Hydration is formulated specifically for higher intensity activities and/or higher electrolyte replenishment needs. Packed with electrolytes, light flavor, no sugars or carbs, and portable, Nuun Active Hydration is the perfect sports drink. The electrolytes found in Nuun will help alleviate cramps, help muscles function, communicate and burn energy efficiently. Available in 14 flavors: Banana, Orange, Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Kona Cola, Lemon Tea, Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical, Citrus Fruit, Cherry Limeade, Watermelon, and Lemonade.

-U Natural Hydration is all-natural and contains a lower electrolyte profile to Nuun. U Natural Hydration makes it easier for people to stay optimally hydrated during less intense activities. U is all natural, sweetened with stevia, and is only 7 calories per tab. Available in four flavors: Cucumber Mint, Goji Berry Green Tea, Tangerine Ginger, and Lemon Chai.

-Nuun All Day Hydration helps you drink more water every day with crisp and refreshing flavors and is enhanced with an all-natural blend of vitamins and minerals making it perfect for your daily routine. Hydration plays an elemental role in staying healthy, energized and focused. Did you know dehydration is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue? Sugary and caffeinated drinks take you on a roller coaster ride during the day, but with zero sugar, under eight calories per tab, and an all-natural blend of 17 vitamins and minerals, Nuun All Day keeps you going. Available in four flavors: Grapefruit Orange, Tangerine Lime, Blueberry Pomegranate, and Grape Raspberry.
SPEED OF ABSORPTION
One of the most important characteristics of what you drink while you're active is the speed at which your body can absorb it. The concentration of dissolved salts and sugars (osmolarity, for those more technically inclined) determines how fast the drink can cross from your digestive track into your bloodstream, where it can re-hydrate and replenish you. Nuun branded products produce a hypotonic solution, so your body absorbs Nuun faster than the leading “sports drinks” or even water alone. This gives your body the ability to restore optimal water and electrolyte balance quickly and efficiently.
ELECTROLYTE CONTENT
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that people who are active for more than one hour get 500–700mg of sodium for every liter of water they consume. This is up to three times the sodium amount that traditional “sports drinks” provide. Some experts in the field believe that sodium concentrations should be closer to the 700–1000mg range. In addition to other critical electrolytes, Nuun Active Hydration provides 700mg of sodium for every liter of drink to ensure that you are adequately replenishing your body to help you perform at your best and stay healthy. U Natural Hydration is an all-natural line of electrolyte and vitamin-enhanced drink tablets with half the sodium as Nuun Active Hydration. U Natural Hydration is sweetened with stevia and contains only seven calories per tab. It is ideal for less intense activities, a perfect way to stay balanced and quenched.

CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT
Nuun branded products contain virtually no carbohydrates (less than 1g) for a couple of reasons. Ingesting drinks containing high levels of carbohydrates can slow the rate at which your stomach empties, delaying the absorbance of the water and electrolytes. Carbs also increase the osmolality of what you're drinking, delaying absorption beyond the stomach. If you're participating in intense exercises lasting more than 60 to 90 minutes, you should consume carbohydrates to ensure energy levels for working muscles. But how you do that is up to you. Everyone manages energy consumption differently, whether it’s with sports bars, gel or other sources of calories and carbohydrates.

Jody Stoops
Running Coach, Personal Trainer, Marathoner
crossmyheartfitness.com

It has a higher sodium content than most other sports drinks, and is easier to carry around since it's only a tablet. Helps keep my symptoms at bay.

This stuff gets me though the day sometimes. I do keto (less than 20 carbs/day) and some days I'll start to just feel terrible: lethargic, grumpy, crampy. I pop one of these and feel totally fine in 20 minutes.

Gives me all the benefits of gatorade without all of the added sugars.

by taking these electrolytes, I'm don't wake up often being thirsty at night.

My sons take these before activity/sports (football, skateboarding, running) rather than the garbage/chemically laden electrolyte drinks on the market. This definitely helps with stamina and my son won't go to football practice without taking one first. Highly recommended.

Really gets your body back in balance after an active, hot day or a night of drinking too much vino!
Much, much better than all those sugary energy drinks!!

I was introduced to these hydrating tablets while I was training for a half marathon last year.
PROS:
- Compact, easy to throw a tube in your pocket or a few tablets in a plastic baggie to shove in your running belt.
- They're not at all sweet, having no added sugar, but they're not bad on the palate, either. I found them to be a little on the tart side but it works for the flavors in this package. Strawberry lemonade, fruit punch, grape, and tropical.
- These tablets work really well for endurance activities. I used them for running and for some really long, brutal crossfit workouts. I think these are what saved me from dehydration, cramps, and nausea on more than a few occasions. When I ran my first full 13 miles, I was in the middle of a state forest with no access to additional water, phone service, or service roads. In hindsight, not the best plan. lol. However, I did find a campground about halfway through with a water pump and was able to chuck a tablet in just as I was feeling the effects of the heat and mileage. I was able to stave off the shakes and the pain for another hour thanks to the tablets.
- I only use these when I need them, and not regularly, so this pack lasted me a number of months.

CONS:
- If your water gets warm, these start to taste kind of terrible.
- The tablets are effervescent, like Alka-Seltzer, so if you put some in your water and run with it, the pressure will build up and when you open your water bottle it WILL spray you directly in your face. It doesn't seem to be a to-go kind of drink. More like a gulp-now beverage. However, when I was able to keep it in an open nalgene bottle in the gym, no issue there since I didn't have to close it and I wasn't shaking it up.

This is a good product, conveniently packaged, and I would recommend it – IF you know what you're getting. Things I wish I'd known before I ordered:
- The resulting drink is fizzy. Not soda-level fizzy, but even after several hours the carbonation is noticeable. For others this might not be a big deal, or might even be a plus, but fizzy things give me a stomachache.
- Nuun is essentially sugar-free. When they say low in sugar, they mean 1g of carbs (which, too be fair, was stated up front; I just wasn't paying attention to how little that really is) and sweetened with sorbitol. I can't do calorie-free sweet because my body responds as if there were sugar & then I get dizzy. (The fruit punch, which I tried, was not overly sweet, but it didn't taste sugar-free)

Bottom line: good product, wrong consumer.

The taste is not bad, and they are good for hydrating in the hot weather. Purchased for multi-day music festival's over the summer and only have a couple left. They're a little bit too big to fit in the top of the water bottle, so they need broken in half, otherwise no complaints.

I started using these late into my training for my most recent (and third) full marathon. I was looking for a product that provided all of the electrolytes one needs for long distances without as much sugar as most sports drinks. This products fits the bill perfectly!!!!

I used the tabs a few times in the day before my marathon and felt GREAT for the race, I didn't take one cup of Gatorade on the course, only water and still had my first ever marathon with zero walk breaks and a PR by 6 minutes. Now I know there are a lot of other factors that come into play and I'm not saying that it was purely because of this product, but it sure helped!!!

They are easy to use because you just drop them in water, what I like is you can vary the amount of water you use them with to suit your taste. The directions say to use 16oz. of water but I have been using them in 14ish ounces to make it taste a little sweeter.

My favorite flavors have to be the strawberry lemonade, tropical, or fruit punch.

So easy to use, very good tasting, and very good for you when you need to go the distance!!!

I first bought this product when trying to stop drinking so much diet pop. I bought a bunch of different powdered mixes of other brands and these tablets sounded interesting so I included it in the batch. Interesting flavor and I like it a lot. I know it is made for active people doing active things but it is actually quite a nice beverage in my opinion. After doing yard work or something that it is made for it is great but I also drink it at work (desk job). This is my third order.

These are working well for me. no more cramping

I take 3 after or mid workout to prevent cramping after a big lift and they seem to help cramping but not completely prevent it I still cramp sometimes.

Good price for a complete electrolyte.

Just did a twelve mile, 2,000 foot hike. Took one pill before and one during. Could have kept walking for many more miles. They are big and effective. Lighter than Gatorade.

Good product. I bought because of recommendation by Anthony Pantalleresco. See his YouTubeVideos for a huge number of DIY nutrients. Some of his formulas may deplete and this was one of his choices to restore balance. He's an herbalist and a good resource. Just search for his name.

I think he has over 100 different DIY videos on YouTube to provide people inexpensive, effective DIY formulas to improve or protect your health. He gives fun presentations too.

Nuun's good stuff. Think of Gatorade G2 in Fizzies/Alka-Seltzer form. If you look for electrolyte drinks to supplement water, this is probably a good choice, and cost-wise pretty good especially if you can get it at a discount.

One of the four tubes I bought seemed to have been impacted by age. I didn't check the age from the vendor and assumed it was all good, and I'm certain the vendor did too. But in one of them, the tablets all seemed to be in "slow-fizz" mode. No biggie; I survived the wait...

So, I'm always running low on my electrolights and have looked for creative ways short of Gatorade to combat (don't care for the taste of Gatorade). I've also had stomach surgery and can't drink anything with carbonation. These are a fizzy tablet that is similar to ALKA SELTZER. Nowhere in the description did it state that these fizzed or had carbonation. I tried them anyway--they taste great, but aren't for me.

If you find my review helpful, please indicate so by using the voting buttons.

I purchased for trek/climb up Mt Kilimanjaro. Nothing special about the flavors that I noticed. I have no idea if the electrolytes did anything because I was really tired by the end of the climb. Also, the NUUN did not keep the water from freezing on the final ascent when temperatures were probably in the 20'sF. Another climber thought the tablets make her stomach upset when she was testing them. They may work better in an activity where there is a lot more exertion and sweating.

Been looking for something that keeps me going when I play tennis for 2 plus hours in the heat. I perspire quite a lot. After reading the reviews I decided to try this product. Here's what I found. It did seem to help me stay focused and energetic longer. What I just cant seem it get over is the taste. I tried three of the different flavors and they all pretty much tasted the same. First off hardly any taste what so ever. Like a flat watered down soda that's been sitting in the fridge for a week. Secondly extreme salty taste on my lips the whole time I was using the product. I did double the water amount, but still experienced the same results. Just not for me I guess. Kind of tasted like the stuff you have to drink before a colonoscopy. Probably be a great product if they found a way to in prove the flavors. Should be more enjoyable to drink. Just my personal opinion.

It works and tastes good. When I first tried this a couple weeks ago I loved it and wanted to give it 6 out of 5 stars if possible. I had a Seinfeld moment during that episode where they go to a fat free or sugar free yogurt shop can't remember now. But anyway one of them did a lab test on the yogurt because it tasted so good and found that is either had a ton of sugar or fat. After doing my own research on the net I found that NUUN does have artificial sweetener and alcohol sugar. Notice how the listing leads up to no artificial flavors to lead you to believe there are no artificial sweeteners. "no high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors or colors" In fact it does contain acesulfame potassium which is an artificial sweetener just like aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, nutrasweet, spenda etc. So if you think you are drinking something "all natural" I believe we have been duped by some fancy lawyer speak. To me artificial sweeteners are an artificial flavor just like sugar adds flavor to food and drinks so I don't know how they get away with this misleading text in their description. I gained about 3 pounds since drinking NUUN and my appetite has increased a lot. I am always hungry but I am not sure if the NUUN is the cause. Artificial sweeteners can have that effect. On a positive note I needed to gain some weight anyway. Also after a recent blood test I found out my blood salt level was low and the doctor said I needed more salt and electrolytes. In the past I had given up soda, fruit drinks and sport drinks. I have only been drinking coffee and water, limiting salt, sugar and fat intake. So I tried NUUN and was excited to taste how good it is and how convenient it is. I also thought it was all natural. Oh well. I did notice though my urine is more clear, almost crystal clear so I believe it works. I haven't gone back to the doctor for a blood test but I believe it has cured my low salt levels and electrolyte deficiency.

What is acesulfame K?
Discovered in 1967 by Hoechst AG, acesulfame potassium - or acesulfame K - is a high-intensity, non-caloric sweetener. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Acesulfame K is not metabolized by the body and is excreted unchanged.

What is Sweet One?
Sweet One is a brand of sugar substitute sweetened with acesulfame potassium, an intense sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Sweet One offers an alternative for people who are limiting their intake of sugar.

What is the shelf life of Sweet One?
Sweet One neither loses its sweetness nor decomposes during storage, which makes it safe to consume even after many years.

I don't know why these manufactures insist on using artificial sweeteners other than increasing profit margin and shelf life. NUUN or other tablet drink maker, can you just make this without all the crap? Sometimes less is more. I don't really care about the taste, I just want the benefits.

Bought for leg cramps, slowed them down but still had a few

My muscles still cramp up on long rides over 60 miles. I probably just need more core miles

I took this and ended up in the hospital for hyponatremia and hypokalemia. I guess I need higher mineral products for a long hard exercise. This one is probably work for people who do light exercise only.

Didn't notice a big difference in performance or feel

OK

Same size, only now there are 10 tablets instead of 12 and due to larger size of the tablets they get stuck in the tube. Typical "new and improved "

they taste horrible and don't work that well

I read the reviews before I purchased this but didn't read that one of the ingredients is acesulfame potassium which is an artifical sweetener. Artifical sweeteners give me stomach cramps and bloating. I am so relieved I tried this product before running an actual race. I would not recommend this product if artificial sweeteners are a problem for you.

Not my favorite, the texture is odd and the flavors are bland..

Not as great as I expected...to me, tasted like flavored alka seltzer...that being said, I know several hikers who when very thirsty enjoy it.

I found this to be saltier than gatorade. I just couldn't stomach the taste. Gave it to a friend.

I don't feel a difference with my energy levels with the supplement. I am not planning to buy the product again.

no difference

I haven't noticed a difference. I use it more than once a day and am still waiting for results.

The caps did not hold up that well. They were some busted in the bottle when I opened it. I separated them into bags for long training runs and a few busted in those as well. Affectiveness of the product was all right, but it isn't good when you need to pour powder in your mouth from a bag...

Not enough for me. Takes 5 or more to not even equal a quarter teaspoon of Mortons salt balance. Ascorbic acid, salt, potassium gluconate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc sulfate, chromium nicotinate, magnesium stearate. All really cheap ingredients. Why these pills cost so much and are so specially available is a mystery when so many people I've talked to get muscle cramps from lack of electrolytes. Why so little info is readily available about which chemicals make up a good electrolyte balance is a mystery.

Really gross taste...

Taste all taste terrible for both me and my husband. I was attracted by all the high reviews, but you can't pay me or anyone I've made try this drink this stuff. Was trying to be fit and get electolites without all the sugar, but all these favors are just garbage to us. The taste makes puts my tongue and mouth in shock. can't get any of my friends to take these off my hands. Waste of money for us.

I thought these would be good because of all the rave reviews. But no way! I tried the grape and it was worse than cough syrup flavoring! Egh! And they're heavy, so taking them backpacking was a waste of weight. I don't know if the other flavored are any better. I decided I liked plain H2O better than these so I didn't waste my time on any of the others. Nothing against the seller though! They were great and shipped fast. This is prurly based on the product.

UPDATE 11/2/2017: I love the original formula of this product and I have purchased it many times. However this seller claims to be selling the “past” formula but they are shipping the new formula. I do not like the new formula and I specifically seek out the original formula. I thought that the seller accidentally sent me the new formula in my last order but I was wrong because when they shipped my latest order, I received the new formula again. This product is expensive and I have to nuun in my water for health related reasons. I have a condition that requires that I drink 3-4 liters of water a day. If I drink plain water my electrolytes balances can easily become off balance and I develop dangerous heart arrhythmias. I think it’s terrible that the seller would deceive its customer with bait and switch tactics.Original Review: Best electrolyte supplement ever. I need to drink between 3 and 4 liters of water a day. Drinking this much water can throw off your body's electrolyte balance. I am not a fan of sport drinks and this product allows me to keep drinking all the water I need. The Taste is great too. The tablets are also very convenient to take with you everywhere.

I purchased a variety of water flavorers, because of my inability to easily find zero calorie sports drinks, with the side benefit of reducing my ecological waste profile. I compared several varieties, Dasani, Mio, Propel, and Nuun. This was by far the worst tasting, so bad that it was not even usable.

I wish I could give these less than one star. I do not like the flavor of these tablets...at all. They taste like mildly (disgusting) flavored alka seltzer. Yuck. I literally have used 4 tablets from the 4 pack that I bought, one of each flavor and I didn't even finish the water I dropped the tab into. I don't like Gatorade and wanted something that didn't have a lot of calories and this definitely fit the bill, but the taste is awful.

I needed something stronger