Hydration drink: Hydratis vs. Mulebar composition comparison

Looking to improve your hydration during exercise and wondering whether to choose powders or tablets? This comparative study of Hydratis and Mulebar examines in detail their mineral, vitamin, and electrolyte concentrations to prevent muscle fatigue. These elements will help you choose between Mulebar and Hydratis to best hydrate yourself during your sports activities.

The Importance of Electrolytes in Hydration

Proper hydration is more than just drinking plain water. It's key to athletic performance. When you sweat, your body loses not only water but also essential minerals (also called electrolytes) like sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium. These losses, as low as 1 to 2%, can throw off your electrolyte balance, causing cramps, decreased energy, alertness, and premature fatigue. Of course, these losses will be even greater the higher the outside temperature.

Which provides more electrolytes between Hydratis and Mulebar?

Let's compare the formulas of Hydratis and Mulebar precisely based on the values declared in the nutritional value table on their websites.

For 500 ml of water, 10 g of Mulebar powdered drink provides the following mineral intake: 351 mg of sodium, 753 mg of potassium, 152 mg of magnesium, 240 mg of calcium in the form of gluconate and 4 mg of zinc.

For the same amount of water, two Hydratis tablets offer more modest amounts: 120mg of sodium, 300mg of potassium, 65mg of magnesium, 2mg of zinc, but no calcium. They add 1mg of manganese. Manganese is not a major electrolyte because it aims to reduce oxidative stress in muscle cells. There is also 180mg of chloride. Chlorides, combined with sodium, improve water retention after ingestion. Without them, a drink that is too "pure" (low in electrolytes) is quickly eliminated in the urine. With them, we maintain an isotonic osmolarity, optimal for intestinal absorption. They therefore seem to be there to "compensate" for a low sodium content.

When comparing the compositions of Hydratis vs. Mulebar, we observe strategic differences in electrolyte balance. Our formula intentionally exceeds the recommended minimums to ensure a safety margin during intense efforts such as a summer marathon, a mountain ultra-trail, or a long cycling ride in extreme heat.

1. Sodium 351mg per dose : combats hyponatremia (danger due to plasma dilution when consuming only water) while improving cellular hydration.
2. Potassium 753mg per dose : essential for muscle contraction and recovery, especially during prolonged exercise where sweat losses can reach several grams per hour.
3. Magnesium 152mg per dose : key to preventing cramps by helping with muscle relaxation and participating in over 300 enzymatic reactions.
4. Zinc and Calcium : A complementary duo with 4mg of zinc to support immunity and 240mg of calcium to improve neuromuscular transmission.

Our powdered hydration drink differs from traditional effervescent tablets due to its high salt concentration. Consumed every 10-15 minutes, it ensures a continuous supply of minerals, preventing performance declines due to electrolyte imbalance.

Hydration without a glycemic spike

An electrolyte drink should combine mineral richness with a low calorie impact. It should therefore not be confused with a sports drink, the purpose of which is to provide mineral salts but also, and above all, energy.

Our Mulebar drink contains only 11.2 kcal per 500ml, with only 2.8g of carbohydrates including 0.16g of sugars, thanks to DE19 maltodextrin which releases energy gradually. A tiny amount of sucralose (less than 0.1%) adds flavor (to mask the mineral salts, very mineral as its name suggests) without affecting absorption or calories. Ideal if you already consume energy gels or energy bars, as this avoids excess carbohydrates while maintaining Mulebar hydration focused on minerals.

Hydratis provides 20Kcal per 500ml bottle with 3.8g of carbohydrates and 3.6g of sugars, i.e. 5.5 times more.

Naturalness, tolerance and anti-cramp

The Mulebar brand, created in 2008, uses exclusively natural ingredients, with a vegan and gluten-free formula. It complies with the AFNOR NF EN 17444 anti-doping standard, guaranteeing excellent digestive tolerance even during intense exercise. Its sodium-potassium-magnesium blend, enriched with calcium and zinc, provides effective protection against cramps. The sodium and potassium bicarbonates contained in the Mulebar drink neutralize muscle acidity outside the cells, delaying the burning sensation and improving endurance.

Hydratis adds manganese to perform an antioxidant function within cells. This will have a greater impact on recovery.

What is the point of adding vitamins to a hydration drink?

Mulebar adds 8 essential vitamins (B, C, D, E) to its hydration drink not to hydrate more, but to optimize cellular response during and after exercise. They improve energy production, limit oxidative stress, and support immunity—three critical levers for athletes.

• B vitamins : the engine of energy metabolism

  • Needed to convert carbohydrates from gels/bars into ATP.

  • Support neuromuscular function (B1, B6, B12).

  • Reduce the feeling of central fatigue (effect on neurotransmitters).

  • Without B vitamins, energy substrates are available but poorly exploited.
    

• Vitamins C and E : synergistic antioxidant protection

  • Exercise greatly increases ROS (reactive oxygen species).

  • Vitamin C acts in the aqueous phase, vitamin E in the lipid phase for total cell protection.

  • Less oxidative damage = better recovery + reduced muscle soreness.

  • They prevent oxidative “slump” and accelerate muscle regeneration.

• Vitamin D : immune maintenance and performance

  • Essential for muscle protein synthesis and regulation of intracellular calcium.

  • Plays a key role in immune function, very useful in winter or after high training loads.

  • Associated with a reduced risk of post-exercise respiratory infections.

Practicality to consider

When choosing the best electrolyte drink, ease of use also matters.

Our powder formula with its integrated scoop allows for precise mixing: 10g per 500ml of water covers approximately one hour of moderate exercise. One bottle per hour in case of intense heat or intense exercise, every 90-120 minutes in winter or at low intensity. The 250g sachet (25 doses) therefore allows for the preparation of 25 500ml bottles.

Hydratis recommends 2 lozenges per 500 ml bottle to be consumed during and after exercise for better endurance and muscle recovery (limits cramps and muscle aches). Repeat as needed (up to a maximum of 5 lozenges per day).

It must be recognized that while the mineral salt composition is lower than that of Mulebar, Hydratis tablets are practical to take everywhere thanks to their small size. This is also why we at Mulebar recently created individual sachets to slip into your swimsuit. All that's left is to find a water source once the water bottles are empty.

Light taste for frequent drinking

Mulebar Red Berry Hydration Drink Recipes or citrus fruits offer a light flavor that encourages regular consumption without fatigue. Unlike overly sweet drinks, its subtle taste promotes continuous hydration, crucial for performance. Some athletes even reduce the dose to 8g per 500ml for an even milder taste.

Hydratis also has a very pleasant taste and offers no fewer than 12 flavors in its range to better vary the pleasures.

What is the price difference between the two brands Mulebar and Hydratis?

A 250g sachet of Mulebar hydration powder costs €25 including VAT. A 500ml bottle filled with 10g of Mulebar hydration powder costs €1.

Same price for Hydratis given that a tube of 20 lozenges costs €9.90 including tax and they recommend 2 lozenges per bottle.

Why doesn't Mulebar offer a hydration drink in tablets?

We believe that lozenges are not rich enough in mineral salts and that powder is much more effective. This is not a stated intention on the part of the brands but a technical constraint. Indeed, the size of a lozenge is reduced. It must contain both electrolytes but also enough citric acid and sodium bicarbonate so that the lozenge disintegrates when it comes into contact with water,

We must also consider packaging, which is of great importance in the fight against plastic. Effervescent tablets are very sensitive, and humidity is their number one enemy. Indeed, 1 to 2% residual water can trigger the reaction prematurely, hence the importance of moisture-proof packaging (plastic tube + desiccant cap).

If you're interested in comparing your favorite brand to Mulebar's hydration drinks, read this comparison of the top hydration brands on the market.

What is the difference between a sports drink and a hydration drink?

To conclude this article, it's important to understand the difference between a hydration drink and a sports drink to optimize your sports nutrition. The former primarily aims to compensate for electrolyte losses with very few calories, while the latter combines minerals and carbohydrates for energy during prolonged exercise.

Which drink should you choose depending on your outing?

When comparing the composition of Hydratis vs. Mulebar, each format has specific advantages. Hydratis effervescent tablets are ultra-portable, perfect for traveling, but their mineral content is lower than that of powdered versions. You'll therefore need to use more than intended, which will quickly cost you a lot of money.

Please note that Hydratis does not offer an energy version for carbohydrate intake during longer and more intense efforts.

Our recommendations:

• Short sessions (less than 1 hour): a hydration drink alone is enough to compensate for electrolyte losses, without the need for additional calorie intake.
• Moderate efforts (1-2 hours): Combine your hydration drink with energy bars, gels or compotes if necessary, to separate hydration and energy intake.
• Long distances (+2h): Opt for a carbohydrate-enriched sports drink.
• Extreme conditions: In extreme heat, prioritize electrolyte-rich hydration every 15-20 minutes, with energy from solid foods like our Mulebar energy bars.

This versatility is the strength of our Mulebar nutritional approach. Choosing between a hydration drink and an energy drink depends on the type of physical activity and your overall strategy:

• With gels/bars/compotes: choose calorie-free hydration to avoid excess carbohydrates.
• For sports where eating is difficult (trail, cycling): a sports drink incorporating different carbohydrates simplifies logistics.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hydration and sports drinks?

Our Mulebar hydration drink is specially designed to maintain electrolyte balance, with an optimal intake of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and vitamins. Low in calories (only ~11kcal/500ml), it limits carbohydrate intake while effectively compensating for electrolyte losses. Conversely, a sports drink combines minerals and carbohydrates (maltodextrin, sucrose, fructose) for sustained energy intake during prolonged exercise (>90min).

How to avoid cramps and dehydration during exercise?

To prevent cramps and dehydration, maintain a minimum intake of 300mg of sodium and 150mg of magnesium per hour. Hydrate regularly (every 10-15 minutes) without waiting until you feel thirsty. Our Mulebar hydration formula contains 351mg of sodium, 753mg of potassium, and 152mg of magnesium, enriched with bicarbonates to neutralize lactic acid and preserve your muscle performance.

Can you combine hydration drinks with gels and bars?

Combining a hydration drink with solid nutrition is ideal for prolonged exercise. Use our Mulebar berry or citrus hydration powders to cover your water, salt, electrolyte, and vitamin needs. Supplement with gels, energy compotes (every 30-45 minutes), and an energy bar per hour for a balanced intake without overloading your digestive system with liquid carbohydrates.