Hypertonic, hypotonic, isotonic - the world of sports drinks can be confusing. The variety of fluids you can stick in your bottle sound more like a superhero’s powers than a simple drink designed to hydrate, replace electrolytes and give you energy on the go.

So what do all the terms mean? What are the benefits of each drink? And what should you be sipping when? We’re glad you asked. Here’s everything you need to know.

Know your tonicity

Sports energy drinks are broken down into three different types depending on their concentration compared to the human body, or tonicity to give it a technical name.

The tonicity of a drink is important when you’re working out as it affects the amount of carbohydrates, electrolytes and fluids that enter your bloodstream and how quickly you can absorb them to boost your performance. 

The three commonly seen types of sports drinks are:

• Hypotonic has a lower concentration of fluid, sugars and salt than blood.
• Hypertonic has a higher concentration of fluid, sugars and salt than blood.
• Isotonic has similar concentration of fluid, sugars and salt to blood.

Each drink has different benefits to support your training. Here’s what to use, when and why.

Hypotonic drinks

Best for: Rapid rehydration

When to use: Pre-hydration, on shorter workouts, on long rides, in hot weather; when you need a drink to rehydrate quickly and effectively.

What does hypotonic mean?

Hypotonic means it has a lower concentration of solutes than another solution. For example, hypotonic drinks have a lower concentration of carbohydrates (<5%) and salt than blood. This means they are absorbed into the bloodstream at a faster rate for quick hydration and electrolyte release.

Hypotonics may contain carbohydrates too, helping to contribute towards your total energy intake.

Veloforte’s Attivo and Vivo hydration powders provide this winning combination, delivering rapid hydration and a hit of fast-absorbed carbs that adds to your overall energy intake from bars and gels to keep you fuelled for success.

Our latest and fruitiest hydration, Passo offers a combo of fast-action carbs and electrolytes in a ridiculously juicy mix of mango and passionfruit — keeping you hydrated, energised and refreshed during long sessions.

How do hypotonic sports drinks work?

When you drink a hypotonic drink the solution moves via osmosis across the gut walls and into the blood vessels. This means fast rehydration, as the drink is rapidly absorbed across the gut lining and quickly replaces fluids lost. There’s a much lower risk of bloating, cramps and the dreaded GI distress that can come with other energy drinks too.

Hypotonic drinks will also give you a speedy top-up of electrolytes – those vital salts and minerals lost in sweat – to help regulate muscle function and keep your fluid levels balanced. 

What are the disadvantages of hypotonic drinks?

Hypotonic drinks focus on rehydration and therefore do not provide maximum carbohydrates (energy). If you’re out on a Sunday long run or have an epic day in the saddle planned, use these drinks in combination with your other nutrition, such as Veloforte energy bars or natural energy gels.

Why not try: Sweetened with a touch of Stevia, Veloforte Solo is a low-calorie hypotonic option that’s ideal for shorter workouts when you want to stay hydrated but don’t want to take on more calories than you burn.

Hypertonic drinks

Best for: Large doses of carbohydrate

When to use: As a recovery drink after intense or sustained exercise, for extra carbohydrates in the lead up to a race.

What does hypertonic mean?

Hypertonic means it has a higher concentration of solutes than another solution. For example, hypertonic drinks contain a higher concentration of salt and sugar than blood, making them a good way to supplement your daily carbohydrate intake or top up glycogen stores. 

Hypertonic drinks are also usually used as recovery drinks and often contain added protein.

How do hypertonic sports drinks work?

Hypertonic drinks provide the highest dose of carbohydrates (>8%) of all energy drinks. Despite a slower absorption rate than hypotonic or isotonic drinks, they’re still a quick way to top up glycogen stores, as the body tends to absorb liquids more quickly than solid food.

What are the disadvantages of hypertonic drinks?

Hypertonic drinks can cause dehydration as the body has to move water from the bloodstream into the intestine to dilute the fluids before it can absorb them. This can make you feel thirsty and sometimes nauseous. While some ultra athletes use hypertonic drinks alongside other hydrating drinks during exercise, they’re best drunk post-workout.

Why not try: If you prefer to refuel with real food after exercise, eat your snack or meal alongside a hypotonic Veloforte hydration drink. As well as some much needed rehydration you’ll get a quick boost of rapid-release carbohydrates to top up energy stores while you’re waiting for the solids to digest.

Isotonic drinks 

Best for: Carbohydrate release

When to use: Shorter duration or high-intensity workouts; when you want carbohydrates overhydration during endurance exercise.

What does isotonic mean?

Isotonic means it has the same concentration of solutes than another solution. For example, isotonic drinks have a similar water, salt and carbohydrate concentration (6-8%) to blood. They typically provide more energy and electrolytes than a hypotonic drink but take longer to enter the bloodstream.

How do isotonic sports drinks work?

Isotonic drinks are a source of carbohydrates to give you energy as you workout and help replace the fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat. The trade-off for extra carbs is that isotonic drinks require more energy to get across the gut wall than hypotonic drinks so energy and electrolyte release is slower.

What are the disadvantages of isotonic drinks?

Many commercial sports drinks on the market are isotonic, but a quick look at the ingredients often reveals high levels of sugars, sweeteners and additives, which can cause stomach cramps and bloating.

If you’re prone to GI issues, you may find watering down isotonic drinks makes them easier on your digestive system. Though this will change the rate at which they enter the bloodstream.

Why not try: If the sticky sweetness of isotonic drinks doesn’t agree with you or your gut, Veloforte Vivo and Attivo provide a natural, hypotonic source of energy with 22g of rapid-release carbohydrates per serving. 

The delicious peach, raspberry and rosehip, and wild strawberry and basil flavours are derived from freeze-dried fruits so they taste clean, do away with the chemicals and are much kinder to your stomach. For extra carbohydrates supplement with Veloforte bars.

What else to look for when choosing the best sports drink for you

1. The taste

It’s easy to get caught up in carb content and electrolytes when choosing a sports drink but don’t forget about the basics, like does it taste good?

If you don’t like the flavour or texture you probably won’t drink enough and rehydrating becomes a chore rather than something to look forward to.

All our hydration powders have been carefully crafted with balanced hints of herbs and botanicals that accentuate the soft fruitiness of freeze dried fruits. That means a stimulating sweet and savoury experience that’s more like a refreshing iced-tea than a sickly fizzy drink. Something you’ll look forward to drinking and never tire of.

2. Still not fizzy

Whereas many sports drinks and effervescent tabs mean you get bubbles in your bottles, Veloforte hydration powders are non-carbonated. Our still drinks feel completely different in the mouth – no furry teeth and no baking soda tongue, just good, clean refreshment.

3. Natural ingredients

Artificial additives, sweeteners and ingredients you can’t pronounce offer little in the way of nutritional value and can play havoc with the gut when exercising. 

Veloforte’s hydration drinks contain all-natural products with an electrolyte-rich coconut water base, Pink Himalayan salt for sodium and clean-tasting flavours derived from freeze-dried fruit with all its essential vitamins and minerals. 

You get more bang for your buck than with traditional fizzy hydration tabs and powders.

4. Extra power

If you want your drink with an added kick, look for drinks that contain caffeine. Veloforte Attivo has 75mg of natural caffeine from guarana for an extra boost to help zip over that mountain or the finish line.

While caffeine isn’t a source of energy in the way sugar is, it does have proven benefits to anyone trying to exercise for extended periods of time. It acts as a mild central-nervous-system stimulant that can improve alertness and concentration and perk you up if you are feeling tired or lethargic. 

In practice, that means some well-timed caffeine can help you go harder and for longer. It also encourages our bodies to burn fat as fuel and it can reduce feelings of pain and fatigue.

Keen to learn more? Read our guides on perfecting your running hydration or cycling hydration strategy or discover more about the different types of energy drinks.