Hey there, it‘s your trusted source for all things health, wellness, and hydration! If you‘re like me, you know staying hydrated is crucial for feeling your best, crushing your workouts, and keeping your body functioning at its peak. But sometimes plain water just doesn‘t cut it. That‘s where electrolyte drinks like Cure Hydration come in clutch.
I‘ve tried my fair share of hydration products over the years, but Cure Hydration keeps impressing me with its clean ingredients, optimal electrolyte balance, and downright delicious taste. Today I‘m diving deep into this trendy hydration brand to help you decide if it‘s worth the hype (spoiler alert: it totally is).
What is Cure Hydration?
Cure Hydration is a line of electrolyte drink mixes designed to hydrate you rapidly and effectively. It was created by Lauren Picasso, a Stanford grad, and CrossFit athlete, along with Dr. Dolhun, a Harvard MD. They were fed up with the sugary, chemical-laden sports drinks on the market and set out to make a cleaner, plant-based hydration solution that actually worked.
Each Cure drink mix contains a science-backed ratio of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium that quickly replenish what you lose through sweat and humidity. This special ratio (which Cure calls "Hy-Lyte") is based on the World Health Organization‘s guidelines for Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), the gold standard for treating and preventing dehydration.
But Cure is way more than just salts. Its star ingredient is actually organic coconut water powder, which provides a natural source of electrolytes that your body can easily absorb. Cure also skips the added sugar and artificial junk in favor of plant-based flavors and a touch of stevia and monk fruit for gentle sweetness.
Why Proper Hydration Matters
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Cure Hydration, let‘s talk about why you need to prioritize hydration in the first place. A whopping 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, which can lead to fatigue, brain fog, headaches, muscle cramps, and more. Yikes.
Even mild dehydration can impact your athletic performance, cognitive function, and overall health. A mere 2% drop in hydration can lead to:
- 20-30% decrease in physical performance
- 10% drop in mental performance
- Increased risk of kidney stones, UTIs, and hypertension
Plus, the more you sweat from exercise and heat, the more fluids and electrolytes you lose. Water alone isn‘t enough to replenish and rebalance your body. That‘s where electrolyte drinks become essential.
Putting Cure Hydration to the Test
Now that you know the importance of proper hydration, let‘s talk about my experience using Cure Hydration. I‘ll be honest, I was skeptical at first. I‘ve tried a lot of electrolyte products that either tasted terrible, didn‘t seem to work, or were full of questionable ingredients. But Cure totally won me over.
The Flavors
Cure offers their electrolyte mix in 7 refreshing flavors:
- Berry Pomegranate
- Ginger Turmeric
- Watermelon
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Matcha
- Naked (Unflavored)
I tried a sample pack with all the flavors and was pleasantly surprised. They all tasted light, fresh, and natural without any weird aftertaste or artificial notes. The watermelon was my favorite – it legit tasted like biting into a ripe, juicy melon with a hint of sea salt.
The matcha was earthy and subtly sweet, while the lemon had a crisp, zesty vibe. The naked (unflavored) one blended seamlessly into my water without any noticeable taste – perfect for mixing into smoothies or flavored drinks for an electrolyte boost.
The Effectiveness
Of course, taste is just one part of the equation. The real question is: does Cure Hydration actually work to hydrate you effectively? In my experience, 100% yes.
I first put Cure to the test after a sweaty hot yoga session. I guzzled one of their berry pomegranate mixes mixed with a liter of water and instantly felt replenished. I didn‘t have any of my usual post-workout lightheadedness or headache, and my energy bounced back way quicker than with plain water alone.
I also found Cure clutch for travel and hot summer days. Whenever I was feeling parched, fatigued or headachy, a pack of Cure seemed to set me straight almost instantly. It‘s been a staple in my gym bag, carry-on, and beach cooler ever since.
Anecdotally, I could tell Cure was working, but I wanted to know exactly what it was doing for my body. So I did some digging into the science and stats behind Cure‘s formula.
The Science & Stats
Each Cure drink mix is carefully crafted with optimal amounts of electrolytes to quickly hydrate and alleviate dehydration symptoms. Here‘s what a single packet provides:
- 250 mg sodium
- 86 mg potassium
- 8.3 mg magnesium
- 2.6 mg chloride
- 2 mg zinc
- 25 calories
- 4g natural sugars from fruit powder
This ratio is modeled after the World Health Organization‘s ORS formula, which has been used to treat dehydration for the last 50 years. Studies show that an ORS-based electrolyte drink can hydrate you up to 3x faster than water alone, while also improving fluid retention.
Another key part of Cure‘s formula is the use of coconut water powder. Coconut water is often called "nature‘s Gatorade" due to its high potassium content and other naturally-occurring electrolytes like sodium and magnesium. Research indicates that coconut water can rehydrate you just as effectively as a sports drink, but with way less sugar and a better nutrient profile.
Cure also contains small amounts of zinc, which studies show can help boost immunity and shorten the duration of common colds by up to 33%. That‘s a nice bonus if you‘re trying to fend off sickness or rehydrate from a stomach bug.
Cure Hydration vs Other Electrolyte Drinks
There are a lot of players in the electrolyte drink space, from coconut waters to tablets to powders. Here‘s a quick comparison of how Cure stacks up:
| Brand | Calories | Sugar | Sodium | Potassium | Magnesium | Price per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cure Hydration | 25 | 4g | 250mg | 86mg | 8.3mg | $1.65 |
| Gatorade | 140 | 36g | 270mg | 75mg | 0mg | $0.50 |
| Liquid IV | 100 | 24g | 380mg | 370mg | 0mg | $1.25 |
| Nuun Sport | 15 | 1g | 300mg | 150mg | 25mg | $1.00 |
| LMNT | 0 | 0g | 1000mg | 200mg | 60mg | $1.50 |
As you can see, Cure has a stellar electrolyte profile without all the excess sugar and calories of Gatorade and Liquid IV. It‘s most similar to Nuun in terms of ingredients, but provides a higher potency of sodium and magnesium.
While LMNT boasts the highest amounts of sodium and potassium, it lacks Cure‘s coconut water powder and plant-based blend. Cure seems to hit the sweet spot for a clean, balanced, and effective electrolyte drink without artificial ingredients or flavors.
What Other Hydration Fanatics Are Saying
Don‘t just take my word for it – here‘s what other Cure Hydration customers have to say:
"I was so excited to try Cure and wow it did not disappoint! The watermelon sea salt is my absolute favorite and has been a game changer in keeping my hydrated throughout the day. I love how clean the ingredients are too!" – Rachel M.
"As someone with a very sensitive stomach, I have a hard time with most electrolyte drinks. But Cure sits really well and I haven‘t had any digestive issues. It‘s been amazing for my long runs and recovery. Definitely worth the cost." – Ravi G.
"I recently started using Cure and the difference in how I feel is night and day. I have more energy, less brain fog and I‘m not constantly craving sugary drinks. My whole family loves it too. We‘ll be customers for life!" – Jenna P.
Cure has an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars based on over 4,000 reviews on their website. While some people find the flavor too subtle or the price too steep, the vast majority rave about the taste, effectiveness, and ingredient quality.
Is Cure Hydration Worth It?
So now for the million dollar question: is Cure Hydration worth your hard-earned cash? Honestly, I say yes.
While it‘s definitely pricier than Gatorade or Propel at $1.65 per packet, you have to remember that you‘re paying for quality. Cure doesn‘t cut corners with cheap filler ingredients, artificial sweeteners, or mystery flavors. You can actually pronounce and understand everything on the label.
Plus, Cure just works. I can anecdotally feel the difference in my energy, focus and overall sense of hydration when I use it consistently. The science-backed electrolyte ratio and coconut water base make it a step above your average drink mix in terms of absorption and efficacy.
Of course, everyone‘s hydration needs and preferences are different. If you‘re on a tight budget or just need a quick post-workout replenisher, Cure may not be necessary. But if hydration is a big priority for you and you value clean ingredients, it‘s 100% worth trying. Your body will thank you!
The Final Verdict
Alright hydration nation, it‘s time to wrap this up. After extensively testing and researching Cure Hydration, I can honestly say it lives up to the hype. From the refreshing flavors to the optimal balance of electrolytes to the coconut water base, it ticks all my boxes for a clean and effective hydration drink.
Yes, it‘s a bit of a splurge, but aren‘t you worth it? Proper hydration is so crucial for your health, performance, and overall quality of life. If something as simple as a convenient drink mix can improve how you feel on a daily basis, I say go for it.
Cure also offers a subscription option to save you 20% and make staying hydrated even easier. I love having a readymade stash to grab whenever I‘m heading to a workout, beach day, or flight. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Ready to upgrade your hydration game with Cure? Use code WELCOME10 to get an extra 10% off your first order on their website at curehydration.com. And be sure to connect with me on Instagram @thewellnessmaven to let me know which flavor you‘re most excited to try!
Remember, hydration is the foundation of health. Investing in quality electrolytes like Cure is investing in your most valuable asset – you! Cheers to happy, hydrated days ahead.
