I am a Type 1 Diabetic and I live in the South where it's very hot and humid. I could use an electrolyte drink sometimes, particularly in the Summer. The problem is that electrolyte drinks are high in sugar & sodium, neither of which is good for me. I searched the internet specifically looking for an electrolyte drink with no sugars and little added sodium and found Ultima on a website about energy/vitamin drinks that specified it was good for diabetics.
I ordered the variety pack expecting to dislike at least a few of the flavors, but I actually think they're all good. (Orange is my least favorite, but it's still not bad.) I mix each packet into 32 oz of water. If you find the taste to be too strong or too sweet, I suggest adding more water.
Some of the poor reviews state that it doesn't have enough sodium. These drinks have 55 mg of sodium compared to 150 mg in 16 oz of Gatorade. (Gatorade also has no calcium, iron, vitamins A or C, and has 21 grams of sugar.) The lower sodium makes it good for people who need to avoid additional sodium, while still containing enough to replenish Na+ electrolytes that can be lost through sweating. Sodium -yes, it's salt- is typically used in electrolyte supplements because it is one of a number of vital electrolytes that can become imbalanced, and is the most important electrolyte regarding water retention and loss. Higher sodium causes fluid to be retained, while low sodium is indicative of dehydration; thus, the need for sodium to avoid dehydration. Many things can cause electrolyte imbalances and what is done to correct the imbalance depends on what caused it and which electrolyte is low/high. I should hope that if you are looking for an electrolyte supplement without speaking to a doctor, you have at least some understanding of electrolytes and whether or not an electrolyte supplement is actually what you need. If you have a medical need for higher sodium, though, don't rely on this drink.
A lot of reviews also cite the use of Stevia as a reason not to buy it. As someone who has been reliant on cancer-ridden artificial sweeteners for 30 years, stevia is the single best alternative to sugar that exists for diabetics and the only NATURAL alternative. It is 100% plant based, not chemically altered, and does not affect blood sugar AT ALL (honey, agave, molasses DO raise blood sugar). It is MUCH sweeter than sugar. It is made from the stevia plant and has been used in South America for hundreds of years for medicinal purposes. It is also known to lower blood pressure and has been used to treat colic and other stomach problems. Because it invokes responses from both bitter and sweet taste receptors some people find it to have a bitter aftertaste. It can, but I haven't found that it does in Ultima drinks -at least not at the concentration I use. Another complaint is that it is too sweet. Again, it is much sweeter than sugar and it can be too sweet if the concentration is too high. Not so for this drink in the concentration I use. If you don't like stevia and don't care about added sugar, just get a drink with the sugar in it.
If you need a low-calorie, all-natural supplement without too much sodium, this is it.
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