RYSE Hydration Sticks

RYSE Hydration Sticks are 16 electrolyte sticks to dilute, designed to be slipped into a gym bag and emptied into a bottle. One 6.4 g stick brings 320 mg of sodium, 173 mg of potassium, 74 mg of magnesium and 97 mg of calcium, with no sugar and no caffeine.

What a stick actually contains

The formula does not stop at sodium. RYSE adds chloride (228 mg) and phosphorus (47 mg), which gives a more complete mineral profile than most sticks on the market, often reduced to salt and potassium.

To that are added 1,000 mg of taurine, 500 mg of choline bitartrate, 250 mg of CocOganic® coconut water powder and 25 mg of AstraGin®, a patented extract of astragalus and Panax notoginseng. On the vitamin side: C, B3, B6, B12 and pantothenic acid.

A useful clarification, because it is rarely made: on that list, only some elements carry an authorised claim in Europe. Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to normal muscle function, to the reduction of tiredness and to electrolyte balance. Potassium and calcium contribute to normal muscle function. Vitamins B3, B6, B12, C and pantothenic acid contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness. Taurine, choline, coconut water and AstraGin® carry no authorised claim: they are there, we list them, we ascribe no effect to them.

When this format is worth it

A stick makes sense when you sweat a lot and for a long time: an intense session, heat, outdoor training in summer, endurance sport. In our region, between May and September, that is far from theoretical.

For a short session in an air-conditioned gym, water is enough in the vast majority of cases, and we will say the same thing at the counter. A stick taken after an hour of lifting in a cool gym will bring you nothing your next meal does not already bring.

The advantage of the stick over a tub of powder is simple: it doses itself and it travels. That is exactly what you are paying for, and it is a real service when you set off on a long outing. In return, the cost per serving is higher than a classic tub of electrolytes.

Three flavours

Pink Splash, Blue Raspberry and Kool-Aid™ Grape. All three dissolve in 500 to 750 ml of water; less water gives a very concentrated taste that few people enjoy while training.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is an electrolyte drink?

It is a drink that supplies the minerals lost in sweat, in a form dissolved in water. In chemistry, an electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions and conducts current; in the body, those ions — sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride — take part in fluid balance and muscle contraction. An electrolyte drink is therefore neither a stimulant nor a source of energy: it does not necessarily contain carbohydrate and has no effect on alertness.

What are the main electrolytes?

Five above all: sodium and chloride, the most abundant in sweat, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Phosphorus and bicarbonate complete the list physiologically. Sodium is the one lost in the greatest quantity during exercise — hence its place at the top of every serious formula, this one included.

When should electrolytes be taken?

During exercise, or just after, when the session has been long and sweaty. The practical marker: beyond an hour of sustained activity, in strong heat, or if your t-shirt dries leaving white salt marks. Before exercise is only useful if you set off already poorly hydrated. The rest of the time, food covers these intakes amply: this is not a supplement to take every day on principle.

What do electrolytes actually do?

They replace what sweat carries away. Drinking only water during a long, very sweaty effort dilutes the remaining minerals, which shows up as thirst that is never quenched and heavy legs. In regulatory terms, it is the magnesium, potassium and calcium in the formula that carry the claims relating to muscle function and tiredness — not the concept of an "electrolyte drink" in itself.

Do electrolytes prevent cramp?

Nothing allows us to say so, and we will not. The idea is widespread, but the available work on exercise cramp points more towards neuromuscular fatigue than towards a lack of minerals. An electrolyte drink can help you cope better with a long, hot effort; presenting it as a treatment for cramp would be dishonest. If cramps are frequent or painful, that is a matter for a doctor.

Can you make your own electrolyte drink?

Yes, and it is very simple: water, a pinch of salt, a little lemon juice and a source of carbohydrate if the effort is long. The result costs a few cents and fulfils the main function. What you lose: precise dosing, magnesium and calcium, the vitamins, and portability. What you gain: the price. We would rather tell you that than let you believe a stick is essential.

Is it the same as an ORS from the pharmacy?

No, and the confusion is common. An oral rehydration solution is intended to make up for dehydration of medical origin — diarrhoea, vomiting, particularly in children. Its sodium and glucose composition follows a precise protocol. A sports electrolyte drink answers a comfort need during exercise, not a medical situation. In case of real dehydration, the person to talk to is your pharmacist or your doctor.

How many sticks a day?

One stick is enough in the vast majority of cases, diluted in 500 to 750 ml of water. On a very long effort in strong heat, a second stick can be justified, drunk gradually rather than all at once. Do not exceed the dose stated on the packaging, which is what counts, and take account of the sodium already supplied by your meals if you follow a low-salt diet.

Is there sugar or caffeine in it?

Neither. That is a point that sets this product apart from a classic sports drink: it brings no carbohydrate and therefore does not replace an energy intake on a long outing. If you are looking for fuel as well as hydration, you need to pair it with a carbohydrate source such as maltodextrin or cyclic dextrin. The absence of caffeine, on the other hand, means it can be drunk in the evening without affecting sleep.

Are electrolytes needed on a ketogenic diet?

This is one of the few situations where the question arises outside sport. The first days of a very low-carbohydrate diet come with a greater than usual loss of water and sodium. Many people concerned increase their salt and magnesium intake for that reason. That said, a dietary change of that scale is something to discuss with a health professional, not with a supplement retailer.

Where do you find electrolytes?

In food first: mineral waters rich in magnesium, dried fruit, bananas, pulses, nuts and seeds, and quite simply table salt for sodium. As a supplement, from retailers specialising in sports nutrition — that is our aisle — and from pharmacies for medically-oriented solutions, which answer a different need. We stock this product in store and online.

Is it suitable for everyone?

This product is intended for adults. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for children without medical advice. In case of high blood pressure, kidney or heart failure, a sodium- or potassium-controlled diet, or diuretic treatment, ask your doctor before taking it: an additional mineral intake is not trivial in those situations.

At KISS NUTRITION

On the shelf in Vendargues, near Montpellier, and shipped throughout France. Browse the full electrolytes aisle and the RYSE range.

Food supplement. Does not replace a varied, balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of young children. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.