Nuun Hydration Review: A Marathoner’s 10-Year Verdict
For over a decade, through 12 marathons and 16 half-marathons, Nuun Hydration has been my go-to hydration for all things running.
When I started running, I only knew about the big names like Gatorade and Powerade, but I also knew these options were full of an insane amount of sugar. Cue finding Nuun during my very first half marathon.
I’m sharing the knowledge I’ve gained from years of using Nuun. I hope you’ll learn something to improve your hydration plan, helping you become a stronger runner.
How Does Nuun Hydration Benefit Runners?
Every runner needs a quality hydration option to fuel their running. Water is fantastic, but it isn’t always enough. This is why I rely on Nuun.
✅ Electrolyte Replenishment
Nuun provides plenty of electrolytes for the active person. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are all packed into each Nuun tablet to help replenish what you lose in your sweat.
With Nuun, you’ll prevent your body from experiencing dehydration and avoid muscle cramps from dehydration.
✅ Minimal Sugar
Nuun is the ideal sports hydration drink because it supplies electrolytes in a delicious option without all the sugar. Most Nuun tablets have less than 1 gram of sugar. Compare that to some of the options, and it’s a no-brainer.
✅ Energy Drink Replacement
Nuun comes in a wide variety of flavors and types. My favorite is Nuun Energy, where the energy supplied is from the caffeine in organic green tea. This is a much healthier option than any energy drinks on shelves today.
✅ Supports Immunity
In addition to options like Energy, Nuun also has an Immunity option. This is a fantastic option for when you feel worn out.
You’ll reap the benefits of Nuun Hydration and a powerful supply of vitamin C to help your immune system work harder.
✅ Fluid Balance
You need the right amount of essential minerals and water to hydrate properly. Nuun is the perfect blend of these. You’ll get all the necessary electrolytes when you drop a tab into a glass of water.
It’s convenient and removes all the guesswork from your hydration plan.
✅ Caffeine for a Mental Boost
For runners who regularly drink coffee or tea, caffeine can benefit your running. Nuun + Caffeine is the perfect choice to get a slight energy boost to help your mental focus on the run.
Rather than waiting for a cup of coffee to brew before your early morning run, a glass of Nuun can be ready within seconds.
✅ Ideal for Any Time
Whether you’re craving Nuun before, after, or during a run, it’s the perfect time to consume it. Whatever your hydration needs are, you can have Nuun any time.
I even rely on Nuun when I’m out hiking or want something more than water with a meal.
What Are the Key Ingredients in Nuun?
Like other electrolyte drink options, Nuun has a special mix of electrolytes to maximize every run.
Nuun contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. Together, these minerals help your body retain the fluids you drink, prevent muscle cramps, support your muscles, regulate muscle contraction, and maintain electrolyte and fluid levels.
The significant difference between Nuun and other hydration options is the clean ingredients. Rather than the 25+ grams of sugar that other sports hydration drinks contain, Nuun has just 1 gram of sugar.
Nuun is a delicious option for runners who care about what they put into their bodies.
When Should Runners Drink Nuun Hydration?
When to drink Nuun will depend on each runner’s needs. But drinking Nuun at the right time can be a game-changer for running.
You should have small sips of Nuun about 30 minutes before your run. This will help prime your body and ensure you’re not starting your run already dehydrated.
Carrying some Nuun in a water bottle is ideal if running for over an hour. You can rely on your body’s thirst to know when to drink more. However, you’ll likely want a small sip every 15 minutes to stay well-hydrated.
Once you’ve finished your run, it’s a good idea to have another helping of Nuun to aid in your post-run recovery.
If the temperature is especially hot, you’ll want to drink even more Nuun leading up to and during the run.
Remember that the best way to detect how well-hydrated your body is is by paying attention to the color of your urine. Pale yellow is the ideal color as too dark will indicate dehydration, and too pale will indicate the body is flushing out necessary minerals.
Nuun can also be used on days off from running thanks to its low calorie and sugar content. It’ll supply the perfect hydration needs for a healthy body every day of the week.
Is Nuun Good for Running Recovery?
Nuun is a great option for post-run recovery hydration.
It’ll supply your body with essential electrolytes and help to restore balance following your hard efforts. Whether you’ve just finished a marathon or a mile walk, Nuun is a great hydration option for any recovery plan.
It’s not only good for running recovery, but it’s the smartest way to recover quickly.
My Recommendation: Favorite Flavors and Varieties of Nuun
Whenever I place an order for Nuun, I’m getting at least 3 or 4 types. This includes Sport, Energy, + Caffeine, and Immunity.
Regarding my favorite flavors, I always opt for Watermelon, Lemon Lime, and Tropical. In fact, Tropical is my favorite flavor to mix with other things (ginger beer, coconut water, and tart cherry juice) for a delicious mocktail.
In the Nuun Energy line, I usually get one of each flavor. However, I really enjoy the Berry Blast.
Nuun + Caffeine is a great option when rushing out the door before I’ve had a cup of coffee. Cherry Limeaid is my favorite, and Kona Cola is (finally!) a year-round option. I like to use half a tablet of each flavor for a Cherry Cola treat.
Blueberry Tangerine is my favorite Immunity flavor, and I find it’s especially cozy in the colder months. You can even have it with hot water to enjoy it like a cozy tea.
Of course, all runners have different tastes, and these flavors may not be your favorite. The tubes come with ten tablets, and you can buy a variety pack of tubes to try several flavors at once.
Not into effervescence? I love the bubbly, effervescent Nuun experience. But you can now get Nuun Sport Powder if you don’t like the effervescence. It has all the good stuff of the Nuun tablets without the bubbles.
FAQ
Yes, Nuun aids in hydration and will help you maintain proper fluid balance. Nuun contains five essential electrolyte minerals: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. These minerals help you stay balanced as you sweat no matter your activity. It’s low in calories and sugar, making Nuun a great option to stay well-hydrated and healthy.
Yes, drinking Nuun every day is completely okay. It’s low in calories and sugar and provides essential minerals to keep you hydrated, whether running or doing your daily tasks. Because it’s a dietary supplement, you should check with your doctor for any concerns.
In the showdown between Nuuna and Gatorade, Nuun is the winner for many reasons. Nuun has fewer calories and only 1 gram of sugar. Nuun also focuses on clean ingredients without any unnecessary additives. Though both sports drinks will help refuel and hydrate you, Nuun does so with minimal ingredients and boasts a much healthier option than Gatorade.
The Nuun + Caffeine options provide 40 milligrams of caffeine derived from Organic Green Tea. If you’re looking for more caffeine, consider Nuun Energy, which provides 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving.
Final Thoughts: Nuun Hydration for Runners
Nuun Hydration is a powerhouse electrolyte drink for runners. It has the ideal electrolyte blend to help you whether you’re running a marathon or your fastest 5k. It’s a clean and effective recipe that has fueled me for over a decade through my various marathon and half-marathon training cycles.
It’s one of my steady running buddies, and I’m glad it sticks out the many miles with me. I hope you find it works well for you if you try it!
