Hydration Beverages for Dehydration

Overseen By Jacquelyn Pence, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Memphis

Must not be taking: SSRIs, Corticosteroids, Statins, others

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 3-6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests hydration drinks to determine how effectively they replace electrolytes lost after exercising in the heat. Participants will try three different drinks—Liquid IV hydration multiplier, a sugar-free version, and water (including a citrulline-rich watermelon juice variant)—after cycling in warm conditions. The goal is to identify which drink best aids rehydration. Individuals who exercise at least three times a week and can handle 90 minutes of cycling in a warm room may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to valuable research on hydration and recovery.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you may need to stop taking certain medications. The trial excludes participants who have taken specific medications like SSRIs, corticosteroids, and statins within 30 days of the first test visit. It's best to discuss your current medications with the study team to see if they are allowed.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier hydrates faster than water alone. It contains a mix of electrolytes and five important vitamins. These ingredients are typically easy for the body to handle, as they are often part of regular diets in small amounts.

The Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier has similar ingredients but without added sugars. Despite some concerns about its production, the product is generally considered safe for most people, including children and pregnant women, according to the company's FAQs.

Both products have electrolyte levels below the daily recommended amount, making them suitable for replacing electrolytes lost after exercise. No major reports of side effects have emerged for either product. However, as with any new supplement, it's important to observe how the body responds and consult a healthcare provider if any concerns arise. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about the Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier and its sugar-free counterpart because they promise a more efficient and effective way to combat dehydration compared to plain water. Unlike standard hydration methods, these products contain a precise balance of electrolytes and glucose, which can enhance water absorption in the body. This unique formulation aims to rapidly improve hydration levels, especially after intense physical activity, making them standout options for athletes or individuals in hot climates. While most hydration treatments rely solely on water or simple sports drinks, Liquid IV's formula targets quick rehydration by optimizing the body's fluid intake process.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for dehydration?

Research has shown that the Liquid IV hydration multiplier, a treatment in this trial, helps the body absorb water more quickly, facilitating rehydration. This product contains more electrolytes than regular sports drinks, aiding in fluid balance. The Liquid IV sugar-free version, another treatment option in this trial, also hydrates faster than water alone and offers the benefit of being sugar-free. It includes essential vitamins and three times the electrolytes found in typical sports drinks. Both products, tested in various treatment arms of this trial, may improve hydration after exercise, particularly in hot weather. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Richard Bloomer, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Memphis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults who regularly exercise, can complete a 90-minute cycling session in heat, and drink at least 2.0 L (women) or 2.5 L (men) of fluid the day before testing. They must not have major surgeries planned, be hypertensive, or have unstable medical conditions that could affect hydration levels.

Inclusion Criteria

You must exercise moderately for at least one hour, three days a week.

You need to be able to ride a stationary bike for 90 minutes at a moderate intensity in a warm and humid room.

For certain visits, your urine must be less concentrated than a specific number.

Exclusion Criteria

Has taken within 24 hours prior to test visit: Alcohol, Caffeine (including coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc. prohibited in the 12hrs prior to each dose of the study product), Laxatives, Diuretics, or Sports drinks (electrolyte drinks)

Received or use test product(s) in another research study in the 28 days prior to baseline visit (Familiarization, Visit/Visit 2), or longer if the previous test product is deemed by the investigator to have lasting effects that might influence the eligibility criteria or outcomes of the current study

I do not have any uncontrolled diseases or conditions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo three 90-minute cycling bouts at 70-80% max heart rate, followed by consumption of test drinks (hydration multiplier, sugar-free hydration matrix, or water) in random order.

3-6 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for rehydration effectiveness and safety after each treatment session.

4 hours 30 minutes after each cycling session

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Liquid IV hydration multiplier
• Liquid IV sugar-free hydration multiplier
• Water

Trial Overview

The trial is examining how effective two novel powdered hydration formulas are compared to water for rehydration after moderate-intensity cycling in a hot environment. Participants will try each drink on separate occasions post-exercise to see which one hydrates better.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Water, Sugar-Free, Hydration Multiplier Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Subjects will undergo three 90-min cycling bouts at 70-80% maximal hear rate, 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and approximately 50% relative humidity spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Subjects will be provided with a different test drink after each cycling bout at an amount equivalent to150% of sweat losses and evaluated for rehydration. Subjects randomly assigned to this arm will be provided with the experimental/placebo conditions in the following order: water, Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier, and Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier.

Group II: Water, Hydration Multiplier, Sugar-Free Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Subjects will undergo three 90-min cycling bouts at 70-80% maximal hear rate, 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and approximately 50% relative humidity spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Subjects will be provided with a different test drink after each cycling bout at an amount equivalent to150% of sweat losses and evaluated for rehydration. Subjects randomly assigned to this arm will be provided with the experimental/placebo conditions in the following order: water, Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier, and Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier.

Group III: Sugar-Free, Water, Hydration Multiplier Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Subjects will undergo three 90-min cycling bouts at 70-80% maximal hear rate, 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and approximately 50% relative humidity spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Subjects will be provided with a different test drink after each cycling bout at an amount equivalent to150% of sweat losses and evaluated for rehydration. Subjects randomly assigned to this arm will be provided with the experimental/placebo conditions in the following order: Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier, water, and Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier.

Group IV: Sugar-Free, Hydration Multiplier, Water Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Subjects will undergo three 90-min cycling bouts at 70-80% maximal hear rate, 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and approximately 50% relative humidity spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Subjects will be provided with a different test drink after each cycling bout at an amount equivalent to150% of sweat losses and evaluated for rehydration. Subjects randomly assigned to this arm will be provided with the experimental/placebo conditions in the following order: Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier, Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier, and water.

Group V: Hydration Multiplier, Water, Sugar-Free Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Subjects will undergo three 90-min cycling bouts at 70-80% maximal hear rate, 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and approximately 50% relative humidity spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Subjects will be provided with a different test drink after each cycling bout at an amount equivalent to150% of sweat losses and evaluated for rehydration. Subjects randomly assigned to this arm will be provided with the experimental/placebo conditions in the following order: Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier, water, and Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier.

Group VI: Hydration Multiplier, Sugar-Free, Water Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Subjects will undergo three 90-min cycling bouts at 70-80% maximal hear rate, 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and approximately 50% relative humidity spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Subjects will be provided with a different test drink after each cycling bout at an amount equivalent to150% of sweat losses and evaluated for rehydration. Subjects randomly assigned to this arm will be provided with the experimental/placebo conditions in the following order: Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier, Liquid IV Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier, and water.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Memphis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

73

Recruited

12,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 50 adult triathletes and runners, a commercially available 6% carbohydrate-electrolyte sports beverage (CCE) was found to be the most palatable and consumed the most during exercise compared to diluted orange juice (DOJ), homemade sports beverage (HCE), and water (W).

The results suggest that beverage palatability significantly influences voluntary intake during exercise, with CCE being preferred over other options, which could impact hydration and energy replenishment strategies for athletes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Palatability and voluntary intake of sports beverages, diluted orange juice, and water during exercise. Passe, DH., Horn, M., Stofan, J., et al.[2019]

Watermelon juice (Citrullus lanatus) demonstrated significant antidiabetic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, reducing fasting blood glucose levels and improving serum lipid profiles, which suggests its potential as a natural treatment for diabetes.

The juice exhibited antioxidant properties and inhibited key enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) involved in carbohydrate metabolism, while also enhancing glucose transporter levels and anti-inflammatory activities, indicating multiple mechanisms of action in managing diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antidiabetic activity of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Ajiboye, BO., Shonibare, MT., Oyinloye, BE.[2022]

Watermelon juice supplementation significantly increased plasma levels of l-citrulline, l-arginine, and nitrite, which are associated with improved nitric oxide bioavailability, but it also raised resting blood pressure compared to control conditions.

Despite the benefits in muscle oxygenation during moderate-intensity exercise, watermelon juice did not enhance time-to-exhaustion during severe-intensity exercise, suggesting it may not be effective for improving endurance performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two weeks of watermelon juice supplementation improves nitric oxide bioavailability but not endurance exercise performance in humans. Bailey, SJ., Blackwell, JR., Williams, E., et al.[2018]

Watermelon juice, especially when unpasteurized, enhances the bioavailability of l-citrulline, which is beneficial for reducing muscle soreness in athletes.

In a study with seven athletes, both natural and enriched watermelon juices significantly lowered recovery heart rates and muscle soreness after intense exercise, suggesting their effectiveness as functional drinks for athletic recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon juice: potential functional drink for sore muscle relief in athletes. Tarazona-Díaz, MP., Alacid, F., Carrasco, M., et al.[2013]

Watermelon and its key compound L-citrulline have been shown to reduce blood pressure in human trials, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits.

Emerging evidence suggests that watermelon intake may improve lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis, with additional benefits for gut health and satiety, although more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon and L-Citrulline in Cardio-Metabolic Health: Review of the Evidence 2000-2020. Burton-Freeman, B., Freeman, M., Zhang, X., et al.[2023]

Consuming 500 mL of Fashion watermelon juice enriched with l-citrulline significantly reduced muscle soreness perception from 24 to 72 hours after a half-marathon race, indicating its potential for recovery support.

Runners who consumed the watermelon juice showed lower plasma lactate levels and maintained jump height performance compared to those who had a placebo, suggesting enhanced exercise recovery and performance benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race. Martínez-Sánchez, A., Ramos-Campo, DJ., Fernández-Lobato, B., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 15 resistance-trained men, watermelon juice supplementation showed a significant increase in muscle oxygenation compared to a placebo, with a mean difference of +4.1%.

However, despite this increase in oxygenation, there were no significant improvements in exercise performance, muscle force production, or blood vessel diameter when compared to the placebo group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of watermelon supplementation on exercise performance, muscle oxygenation, and vessel diameter in resistance-trained men. Gonzalez, AM., Pinzone, AG., Lipes, SE., et al.[2022]

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Effects of Two Novel Hydration Beverage Formulas on ...

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Experts Say Liquid I.V. Can Actually Boost Hydration ...

... Liquid I.V., may help accelerate the absorption of water, making rehydration more effective and faster,” says Syn. Not surprisingly ...

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Unexpected Benefits of Hydration

Two large glasses of water (or one serving of Liquid I.V.) taken within the first half hour of waking up can rehydrate you after a long night of losing fluids.

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Product Ingredients | Hydration Multiplier

Explore the ingredients in Liquid I.V.®'s hydration products. Our science-backed formulations are designed to help you hydrate faster and more effectively.

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Liquid I.V.

Liquid I.V. is a great-tasting electrolyte drink mix powered by Cellular Transport Technology (CTT)®️ ️to hydrate faster and more efficiently than water...

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Liquid I.V. UK FAQ | Your Questions Answered

Find answers to all your questions about Liquid I.V. UK! Learn more about Hydration Multiplier, shipping, ingredients, benefits, and more.

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SCIENCE-BACKED FORMULA: Powered by LIV HYDRASCIENCE, Liquid I.V. is designed with an optimized ratio of electrolytes and clinically tested nutrients.

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Liquid IV Lemon Lime Hydration Multiplier, 0.56 Fl Oz, Pack Of 10 Pouches ... Contains electrolytes and 5 essential vitamins. Find Safety Data Sheet. Specs.