written by Olivia Crozier
Understanding your sweat composition is an integral step in better understanding your unique hydration needs. Continue reading to learn more about how to calculate the electrolyte content of your beverage of choice.
Along with fluid losses and electrolyte losses, the Nix app also calculates your personal sweat composition - a measure of the concentration of electrolytes in your sweat. Your unique sweat composition is reported as the number of milligrams of electrolytes you're losing per ounce of sweat. Sweat composition can vary drastically from one person to the next. For example, some athletes will see their composition below 20 mg/oz while others are over 100 mg/oz. This further demonstrates how differently people sweat and how hydration strategies should be highly personalized for peak performance. With this metric, you can begin to understand the best electrolyte drink you should be consuming based on your personal biology and training environment.
Sweat composition is presented in the Nix app in mg/oz. The app also contains a convenient reference chart of the electrolyte content of popular beverages in mg/oz. However this can also be calculated directly from the nutrition label on your favorite sports drink or drink mix by reviewing the list of electrolytes.
16 fl oz, 1 packet
1,720 mg sodium + 3 mg calcium + 150 mg potassium = 1,873 mg per packet
Label indicates to use 16 fl oz per 1 packet
1,873 mg electrolytes / 16 oz water = 117.1 mg/oz
Based on the electrolyte composition of Skratch High-Sodium, this mix might be best for you if you have a sweat composition around the range of 110-130 mg/oz.
Nuun Sport
16 fl oz, 1 tablet
300 mg sodium + 13 mg calcium + 150 mg potassium = 463 mg per tablet
Label indicates to use 16 fl oz per tablet
463 mg electrolytes / 16 oz water = 28.9 mg/oz
Based on the electrolyte composition of Nuun Sport, this product may be optimal for you if you have a sweat composition in the range of 25-35 mg/oz.
Based on your sweat composition (mg/oz) use the Hydration Beverage Chart below to determine the best drink tablet, powder or liquid for you. Use the X axis to identify where you best fall based on your sweat composition. From there you can identify which of the electrolyte drinks best match your needs. This chart showcases popular drinks and is periodically updated within the Nix App.
