Nuun Electrolyte Tablets Review: A Dietitian’s Expert Take

What Is Nuun?

Nuun has a full line of flavored electrolyte supplements designed to support hydration and replenish electrolytes.

Most of the products contain some combination of sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and potassium.

The products do not contain as much added sugar as traditional sports drinks and are free from artificial ingredients.

Nuun tablets are added to water to create a lightly fizzed electrolyte drink. Nuun offers a variety of hydration tablets with additional ingredients to support rest, immunity, and energy.

Nuun also offers powdered products formulated for performance before, during, and after exercise, as well as a powdered rapid hydration formula.

There is also a “Hydration Helper Quiz” on the Nuun website to help you determine which product fits your needs.

The questions are simple, and the entire quiz takes less than a minute to complete. If you're having trouble navigating the Nuun product line, completing the quiz may help you identify your primary hydration goals and narrow down the product choices.

Evaluation of Ingredients

Each Nuun product contains an electrolyte blend of calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium, and potassium.

Electrolytes help the body maintain fluid balance and play a role in muscle and nerve function. (1)

Fluids and electrolytes are lost through sweating during prolonged exercise and extremely hot and humid temperatures.

If fluid and electrolytes are not replenished through food and drink, this can lead to dehydration and impaired exercise performance.

Sodium replenishment is particularly important for preventing muscle cramps during exercise lasting longer than 30 minutes. (2)

A 2020 study funded by Nuun found participants had less urine output after drinking water with Nuun tablets versus water alone. (3)

These results suggest the electrolytes in Nuun improve fluid balance better than plain water. However, the study was small and is subject to bias.

Below, I’ve listed the number of electrolytes in a serving of each product. It’s important to note that there is no recommendation for electrolyte replenishment since the amount of electrolytes lost varies by individual and the type of physical activity. (4)

I’ve also broken down additional ingredients and listed their main purpose for being included in the formulation.

Additional ingredients for flavor and color found in Nuun products may include cane sugar, dextrose, citric acid, natural flavors, malic acid, stevia leaf extract, grape juice concentrate, organic tapioca syrup solids, avocado oil, beet powder color, and riboflavin.

Nuun Sport

One tablet of Nuun Sport contains 15 calories, 1 gram of sugar in the form of dextrose, and the following ingredients:

• Calcium: 13 mg
• Magnesium: 25 mg
• Chloride: 40 mg
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Potassium: 150 mg

Nuun Vitamins

One tablet of Nuun Vitamins contains 10 calories, 2 grams of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Calcium: 15 mg
• Magnesium: 15 mg
• Chloride: 75 mg
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Potassium:150 mg
• Vitamin A: 112.5 mcg
• Vitamin C: 10 mg
• Vitamin D: 5 mcg
• Vitamin E: 2 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.25 mg
• Folic Acid: 136 mcg DFE

Nuun claims Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and folic acid have been included since most people don’t get enough of these micronutrients. However, these vitamins are easily obtained through food.

Nuun Immunity

One tablet of Nuun Immunity contains 15 calories, 2 grams of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Calcium: 15 mg
• Magnesium: 15 mg
• Chloride: 40 mg
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Potassium: 150 mg
• Vitamin A: 450 mcg
• Vitamin C: 200 mg
• Vitamin D: 10 mcg
• Vitamin E: 3 mg
• Zinc: 5 mg
• Selenium: 20 mcg
• Proprietary Herbal Blend (elderberry extract, organic ginger powder, organic turmeric, echinacea): 125 mg

Vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, and selenium provide antioxidant support and may boost immune system function. In addition, Elderberry, ginger, turmeric, and echinacea act as antioxidants.

Nuun Energy

One tablet of Nuun Energy contains 15 calories, 2 grams of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Calcium: 15 mg
• Magnesium: 15 mg
• Chloride: 40 mg
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Potassium: 200 mg
• Vitamin B6: 2.55 mg
• Vitamin B12: 10 mcg
• Pantothenic Acid: 7.5 mg
• Organic Green Tea Extract (80 milligrams of caffeine): 82 mg
• Organic Ginseng Extract: 20 mg

Nuun Rest

One tablet of Nuun Rest contains 10 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Sodium: 100 mg
• Potassium: 100 mg
• Magnesium: 300 mg
• Tart Cherry Powder Extract: amount not specified

Magnesium and tart cherry powder may help muscles relax and recover from exercise. (5)

Tart cherry juice has been found to boost levels of the sleep hormone melatonin, but it’s unknown if the powdered form provides the same benefit. (6)

Magnesium also plays a role in regulating melatonin. (7)

Nuun Prime

One serving of Nuun Prime contains 35 calories, 4 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, and the following ingredients:

• Calcium: 20 mg
• Magnesium: 40 mg
• Chloride: 154 mg
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Potassium: 175 mg
• Branched-Chain Amino Acid Blend (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine): 1.5 g
• Organic Ginseng Powder: 20 mg

Branched-chain amino acids are typically found in workout supplements to support recovery and prevent muscle fatigue and soreness.

A 2016 meta-analysis concluded there isn’t enough evidence to support claims of using ginseng for enhanced energy and athletic performance. (8)

Nuun Endurance

One serving of Nuun Prime contains 60 calories, 15 grams of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Sodium: 380 mg
• Calcium: 15 mg
• Potassium: 200 mg
• Magnesium: 20 mg
• Chloride: 80 mg

Nuun Recovery

One serving of Nuun Recovery contains 50 calories, 4 grams of sugar, 6 grams of protein, and the following ingredients:

• Chloride: 154 mg
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Potassium: 500 mg
• Branched Chain Amino Acid Blend (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine): 5 g
• L-Glutamine: 1 g

A 2019 meta-analysis concluded that branched-chain amino acid supplementation reduces muscle soreness following exercise. (9)

Nuun Instant Rapid Hydration

One serving of Nuun Instant Rapid Hydration contains 25 calories, 5 grams of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Sodium: 520 mg
• Calcium: 20 mg
• Potassium: 385 mg
• Vitamin C: 90 mg
• Vitamin B12: 2.4 mcg
• Magnesium: 8 mg
• Chloride: 250 mg

Nuun Immunity3

One serving of Nuun Immunity3 contains 30 calories, 6 grams of sugar, and the following ingredients:

• Vitamin A: 900 mcg
• Vitamin C: 700 mg
• Vitamin D: 30 mcg
• Vitamin E: 15 mg
• Vitamin B12: 10 mcg
• Calcium: 15 mg
• Magnesium: 15 mg
• Zinc: 11 mg
• Selenium: 55 mcg
• Chloride: 200 mg
• Sodium: 385 mg
• Potassium: 285 mg
• Prebiotic Blend: (inulin, guar gum, 1000 mg; elderberry juice concentrate, 175 mg)

Immunity3 contains the same blend of vitamins as the Nuun Immunity tablets.

The prebiotic blend supports the gut microbiome, which plays a role in immune system function.

There is evidence that consuming electrolytes can support hydration and replenish minerals lost through sweat.

However, how much fluid and electrolytes you need can differ from person to person, depending on body composition, as well as intensity and duration of exercise.

Since hydration and electrolyte needs vary so much, it is difficult to evaluate if the dose and ingredients in Nuun products meet the needs of each individual.

Side Effects, Safety, and Dosage

One Nuun hydration tablet or single-serving sachet of powdered Nuun is considered one serving.

Other than serving size, there isn’t much guidance in the way of the recommended dosage.

On the Nuun FAQ page, the manufacturer claims most people use 1–4 tablets per day and recommends not exceeding 6 tablets in a single day.

The amount of Nuun you take in a day depends on which product you’re using.

For example, if you’re physically active throughout the day, you may drink several servings of water with Nuun Sport tablets added.

If you’re using the Nuun Prime, Endurance, or Recover formulas, you’d likely only use them once per day: before, during, and after working out.

Nuun products seem safe for most healthy individuals to use without concern for serious side effects.

The products are free from major allergens and certified gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, kosher, and banned substance tested approved by LGC Science.

Electrolyte ingredients and water-soluble vitamins will be excreted through urine if your body can not use them or you consume too much. (10)

Nuun Energy tablets contain 80 milligrams of caffeine per tablet. For reference, an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine.

If you consume several energy tablets in a day, you could be consuming too much caffeine, especially if you drink other caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea.

Signs of excessive caffeine intake include jitters, migraines, anxiety, and insomnia. Caffeine-sensitive individuals should avoid Nuun Energy. (11)

Some of the Nuun products contain high amounts of sodium. For example, Nuun Sport contains 300 milligrams per serving, and Nuun Prime contains 500 milligrams per serving.

The recommended daily value for sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams per day. (12)

These products should be avoided by individuals with a chronic disease that requires sodium restriction, such as high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease. (13, 14)

Nuun is intended to enhance hydration status, but it’s important to recognize signs of dehydration which can include excessive thirst, fatigue, dry skin, headaches, dizziness, and decreased urination. (15)

If you’re experiencing these, you should see your doctor to rule out the underlying causes of dehydration.

Cost and Where to Buy

According to the brand’s website, Nuun products are currently sold in over 30 countries.

They are available in over 5,000 retail locations in the United States, including Target, Whole Foods, Amazon, and Walgreens.

Nuun hydration tablets cost $7 or $8 per tube, depending on the variety. Each tube contains 10 tablets which comes out to $0.70 or $0.80 per serving.

Powdered Nuun products cost more. The Rapid Results line costs $15.99 for 8 hydration sachets and $19.99 for 8 sachets of hydration plus immunity support.

The “Peak Performance” products (Prime, Endurance, and Recover) are available in single-serving sachets or canisters.

The price varies depending on the product, but it’s more cost-effective per serving to purchase the canisters over sachets.

The Nuun website has a subscription option for some of the products that will save you 15%.

They also have a loyalty club where you can earn points for purchases to redeem for additional savings.

A 120-day satisfaction guarantee backs all Nuun products purchased directly from the manufacturer or an authorized retailer.

Full details on how to request a refund or replacement product, plus contact information, are available on the Nuun website.

How Nuun Compares to Alternatives

Most traditional ready-to-drink electrolyte replacement beverages, like Gatorade or Powerade, contain more added sugar than Nuun.

Nuun also has fewer calories than sports drinks and is free from artificial dyes.

Sweetened beverages may not be a good choice for individuals with type 2 diabetes, those actively trying to lose weight, or anyone who prefers to minimize their intake of added or refined sugar, so Nuun may be a good alternative.

Liquid IV makes another best-selling powdered hydration supplement that is added to water.

Like Nuun, it’s available in several flavors and blends to support energy, sleep, and immunity.

A 16-serving bag of Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier retails for $24.47 or $1.53 per serving, which is more expensive than Nuun hydration tablets, which are typically less than $1 per serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nuun

The Bottom Line

Nuun products contain common electrolytes lost in sweat and may encourage increased water consumption.

Runners, hikers, and regular gym-goers may benefit from consuming a Nuun product during activity.

Although popular, electrolyte supplements like Nuun aren’t really necessary unless you’re regularly exercising for long durations or active in hot and humid conditions.

Most of the ingredients in Nuun products are water-soluble, so if your body doesn’t need them, they’ll be excreted in urine—and you’ll have wasted your money.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dehydration or not sure if you’re drinking enough fluids, check in with your healthcare provider.

They can advise you whether an electrolyte beverage like Nuun is safe and beneficial for your lifestyle.