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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04764565

Impact of Nuun Instant on Hydration Status in Active Men and Women

While Nuun Instant is commercially available and has received positive reviews from athletes, there have been no studies to date to evaluate the impact of this product on hydration status. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the impact of Nuun Instant powder and new product under development called Nuun Electrolyte on hydration status in young and active men and women. We will follow a similar approach as used by Maughan and colleagues (2016) to measure the fluid balance (the difference between the amount of water consumed and passed as urine) and beverage hydration index (the relative amount of urine passed after consumption of a drink compared to water), while also measuring plasma volume using the method of Dill and Costill (1974).

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Key information

Conditions

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Reseach

Memphis, Tennessee, 38152, United States

About this study

Maintaining adequate hydration is essential to optimal health and athletic performance. When individuals exercise (in particular in a warm environment), they can lose excessive amounts of fluids through sweating, along with necessary electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, chloride). With dehydration, individuals may feel sluggish and can experience impaired physical performance.

Many attempts have been made to improve and measure the hydration status of active individuals. This typically involves the ingestion of fluids leading up to activity (typically plain water), as well as the ingestion of fluids during the activity itself (water, along with a diluted carbohydrate/electrolyte beverage). This approach seems to work well; however, some debate remains over what the best fluid is to consume, in particular related to the macronutrient type and the specific electrolyte mix.

Related to the above, it is well-accepted that electrolyte replenishment is of importance, both during and following exercise-to aid in rehydration for subsequent bouts. Electrolytes (sodium in particular) have been used for decades to aid athlete hydration and this has led to the development of various sport drinks-which also include small amounts of carbohydrate (e.g., Gatorade, Powerade). However, one problem with moderate to high carbohydrate ingestion is that some individuals experience gastrointestinal (GI) upset following carbohydrate ingestion before and during an event, despite very good physical performance outcomes. Due to this GI upset, some individuals (in particular recreationally active individuals who are not competing at high levels) rely on water alone or a very low concentrated carbohydrate beverage, and seek a method to ingest the lost electrolytes as well.

The solution to the above issues for many athletes is the use of powder "stick packs" that can be carried in bags and pockets, and simply dumped into a water bottle when needed, shaken, and consumed. They are easy to transport and provide the needed carbohydrate, as well as electrolytes to replace those that are lost through intense and/or long duration exercise.

We recently completed a study of Nuun electrolyte tablets, which provide 2 grams of carbohydrate per serving and a combination of electrolytes, provided at a relatively low percentage of the Daily Value (DV). The DV tells us how much a particular nutrient in a serving of a food product contributes to a daily diet, based on a standard 2000 calorie diet. Nuun tablets contain: calcium (13mg, 1%DV), sodium (300mg, 13%DV), potassium (150mg, 3%DV), magnesium (25mg, 6%DV), and chloride (40mg, 2%DV). Our results indicated improved hydration (based on urine output and the calculated hydration index) when subjects consumed the Nuun tablets mixed into 1 liter of water, as compared to water alone.

Nuun Instant is a new product that is similar to the Nuun tablets, but is formulated for those who may experience a significant electrolyte loss and is higher in carbohydrate as well. Specifically, the Nuun Instant product contains (per 11 gram serving) the following: 7 grams of carbohydrate, calcium (20mg, 2%DV), sodium (520mg, 23%DV), potassium (385mg, 8%DV), magnesium (8mg, 2%DV), chloride (250mg, 10%DV), and 100% of vitamin C (90mg) and B12 (2.4 mcg).

Nuun Electrolytes is a new product in development that is similar to the Nuun tablets, but with an adjusted formula. Nuun Electrolytes consist of Citric Acid, Dextrose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Malic Acid, Magnesium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate, Stevia Leaf Extract, Beet Powder Color, Safflower Oil. Nuun electrolytes contains (per tablet) the following: 3 grams of carbohydrate, calcium (15 mg, 1%DV), sodium (200 mg, 9%DV), potassium (125mg, 3%DV), magnesium (15mg, 4%DV), and chloride (75mg, 3%DV).

While Nuun Instant is commercially available and has received positive reviews from athletes, there have been no studies to date to evaluate the impact of this product or Nuun Electrolyte on hydration status. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the impact of Nuun Instant powder and Nuun Electrolyte tablets on hydration status in young and active men and women. We will follow a similar approach as used by Maughan and colleagues (2016) to measure the fluid balance (the difference between the amount of water consumed and passed as urine) and beverage hydration index (the relative amount of urine passed after consumption of a drink compared to water), while also measuring plasma volume using the method of Dill and Costill (1974).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • body mass index (BMI) between 18-29.9 kg/m2
  • no consumption of alcohol-containing beverages within 48 hours of testing
  • no consumption of caffeine-containing beverages within 48 hours of testing
  • no strenuous exercise within 48 hours of testing
  • regularly consumes 2 liters of water daily
  • engaged in structured exercise 3 or more hours per week for the past 6 months or longer

Exclusion criteria

  • tobacco user
  • active infection or illness
  • pregnant

Treatment and study plan

Nuun Instant

Dietary Supplement

Contains (per 11 gram serving) the following: 7 grams of carbohydrate, calcium (20mg, 2%DV), sodium (520mg, 23%DV), potassium (385mg, 8%DV), magnesium (8mg, 2%DV), chloride (250mg, 10%DV), and 100% of vitamin C (90mg) and B12 (2.4 mcg).

Water

Other

water

Nuun Electrolyte

Dietary Supplement

Citric Acid, Dextrose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Malic Acid, Magnesium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate, Stevia Leaf Extract, Beet Powder Color, Safflower Oil. Nuun electrolytes contains (per tablet) the following: 3 grams of carbohydrate, calcium (15 mg, 1%DV), sodium (200 mg, 9%DV), potassium (125mg, 3%DV), magnesium (15mg, 4%DV), and chloride (75mg, 3%DV).

Primary outcomes

  1. Body weight

    Time frame: baseline

    Body weight will be measured in underwear and papergown on digital scale.

  2. Body weight

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Body weight will be measured in underwear and papergown on digital scale.

  3. Urine Volume

    Time frame: Immediately following intervention

    Volume of urine output will be measured.

  4. Urine Volume

    Time frame: 1 hour after intervention

    Volume of urine output will be measured.

  5. Urine Volume

    Time frame: 2 hours after intervention

    Volume of urine output will be measured.

  6. Urine Volume

    Time frame: 3 hours after intervention

    Volume of urine output will be measured.

  7. Urine Volume

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Volume of urine output will be measured.

  8. Urine Mass

    Time frame: immediately after intervention

    Urine output will be measured using an analytical scale.

  9. Urine Mass

    Time frame: 1 hour after intervention

    Urine output will be measured using an analytical scale.

  10. Urine Mass

    Time frame: 2 hours after intervention

    Urine output will be measured using an analytical scale.

  11. Urine Mass

    Time frame: 3 hours after intervention

    Urine output will be measured using an analytical scale.

  12. Urine Mass

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Urine output will be measured using an analytical scale.

  13. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: baseline

    Blood Pressure will be measured.

  14. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: 1 hour after intervention

    Blood Pressure will be measured.

  15. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: 2 hours after intervention

    Blood Pressure will be measured.

  16. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: 3 hours after intervention

    Blood Pressure will be measured.

  17. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Blood Pressure will be measured.

  18. Heart Rate

    Time frame: immediately after intervention

    Heart rate will be measured.

  19. Heart Rate

    Time frame: 1 hour after intervention

    Heart rate will be measured.

  20. Heart Rate

    Time frame: 2 hours after intervention

    Heart rate will be measured.

  21. Heart Rate

    Time frame: 3 hours after intervention

    Heart rate will be measured.

  22. Heart Rate

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Heart rate will be measured.

  23. Hematocrit

    Time frame: baseline

    Hematocrit will be measured from blood.

  24. Hematocrit

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Hematocrit will be measured from blood.

  25. Hemoglobin

    Time frame: baseline

    Hemoglobin will be measured from blood.

  26. Hemoglobin

    Time frame: 4 hours after intervention

    Hemoglobin will be measured from blood.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Memphis

Other

Collaborators

  • Nuun & Company

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Feb 21, 2021
Registry last updated
Apr 28, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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