What's the difference between hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic drinks?

Sports drinks and hydrating beverages like Active Water help you stay hydrated and perform at your best. Our hydrating drink is a hypotonic one, but there are also hypertonic and isotonic sports drinks out there. If you're curious about their differences and which one suits you best, this article is just for you!

Different sports drinks and hydrating beverages

You might recall that feeling: after a game, as a kid, you'd rush to the canteen for a well-deserved sports drink. In a few seconds, it was gone. Ahhh! The perfect reward after a solid soccer match on Saturday morning!

Nowadays, there are many more varieties of sports drinks and hydrating beverages to choose from, and we've learned more about how they work. Some quickly replenish the fluids you lose during exercise or sweating, while others maintain or boost your energy supply (carbohydrates).

Hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic

We can categorize the different drinks into three categories: hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic sports drinks. The classification mainly depends on the 'osmotic value' of a drink. By this, we mean the concentration of particles (such as sugars and salts) in the drink compared to the fluid in our body.

What's the difference?

Drinks with a low osmotic value are absorbed more quickly by the body. They contain fewer carbohydrates and sugars than sports drinks with higher osmolarity. Depending on what you want to achieve, all three drinks have their own benefits.

In short, here are the main differences:

1. Hypotonic sports drink - Contains less than 4 grams of carbohydrates per 100ml, has a low osmotic value, and is therefore absorbed the fastest of all drinks. Especially popular to maintain hydration and to sustain performance for longer periods. Suitable to drink before and during exercise.

Fun fact: it's also widely used as a daily or responsible hydrating drink because of its low number of carbohydrates, sugars, and calories. An example of this is our new Orangefit Active Water!

2. Hypertonic sports drink - Has a higher concentration of particles, containing more than 8 carbohydrates per 100 ml, and takes longer to be absorbed by the body. Mainly used to replenish carbohydrates after activities lasting longer than 90 minutes. Examples include AA-Drink (High Energy) and Aquarius (Orange).

3. Isotonic sports drink - The middle ground: contains the same number of particles as the fluid in your body. Between 4 and 8 carbohydrates per 100ml and is absorbed reasonably quickly. An isotonic drink is also used primarily to replenish carbohydrates during activities lasting more than 90 minutes.

What sports drink or hydrating beverage do I need?

Depending on your lifestyle, the sport you play, and how intense it is, one drink may be more suitable than another.

• If you're doing sports for less than 1.5 hours continuously, the best choice for you might be a hypotonic hydrating beverage. You won't need extra carbohydrates or sugars, and this drink gets absorbed the fastest, allowing you to perform at your best! (3)
• If you're doing sports for longer than 1.5 hours in one go and it's pretty intense, your energy levels might drop, and you might feel less powerful. To perform optimally, you can drink a hypertonic or isotonic sports drink as a hydrating beverage during your activity. Another option is choosing a hypotonic drink for quick absorption and complementing it with an energy bar or gel.
• Are you looking for a daily hydrating drink that suits a healthy lifestyle? Maybe for home or the office? In that case, your best bet might be a hypotonic drink. This way, you get 'water with a taste,' and you limit the number of carbohydrates, sugars, and calories you consume.

Discover Active Water by Orangefit!

Now you know the differences between hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic drinks. This way, you can decide which one suits you best!

If a hypotonic drink seems like the best match for you, try our new Active Water! Our hypotonic drink is made to be the best sports drink for 98% of all sports and the best hydrating beverage for daily use.

But to be completely honest, Active Water is actually more than just a hypotonic drink. It also contains essential electrolytes that you lose during exercise and plant-based BCAAs. Everything you need for an active and fit lifestyle! :)