Hydration isn’t just about drinking water—it’s about achieving the right balance between water and electrolytes in your body. If you’re an athlete, particularly a runner or cyclist, you’ve probably heard about isotonic drinks. But why exactly should you care? Many traditional energy gels rely heavily on ingredients like maltodextrin and glucose. While these can quickly deliver energy, they create an extremely hypertonic environment in your stomach. In simpler terms, these ingredients significantly increase the concentration of osmotically active molecules, pulling water into your gut instead of allowing efficient absorption. Your body then has to work extra hard to balance this out (achieve iso-osmolarity), ironically resulting in dehydration rather than improved hydration. Additionally, hyperosmolar stomach content can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as cramps, bloating, and nausea, further hindering athletic performance. (Link in bio to read the article -6min read).