Staying Hydrated While Coding: Our Experience with Electrolyte Tablets

As developers, we spend countless hours in front of screens, often forgetting the basics like proper hydration. Coffee and energy drinks become our go-to, but they can leave us feeling jittery and dehydrated. That's why we decided to explore electrolyte tablets as a healthier alternative.

Why Hydration Matters for Developers

Dehydration, even mild, can significantly impact cognitive function. Studies show that losing just 1-2% of body water can affect concentration, alertness, and short-term memory - all critical for writing clean code and solving complex problems.

The problem is that plain water doesn't always cut it, especially during long coding sessions or when you've had one too many coffees. That's where electrolyte supplementation comes in.

What We Tested

We tried HIGH5 ZERO Electrolyte Tablets in the Strawberry & Kiwi flavour. These effervescent tablets dissolve in water to create a refreshing drink that replenishes essential electrolytes lost through daily activities.

Key Features

• Zero calories and sugar-free - No energy crashes or unwanted sugar intake
• Enhanced with Vitamin C - Added immune support benefit
• Contains key electrolytes - Sodium, potassium, and magnesium for proper hydration
• Effervescent formula - Dissolves quickly in water
• Pleasant taste - Makes drinking water more enjoyable

Our Experience

We had several team members use these tablets over a few weeks during their regular work routine. Here's what we found:

The Good

Taste: The Strawberry & Kiwi flavour is genuinely pleasant - not overly sweet or artificial. It makes hitting your daily water intake much easier when you actually enjoy what you're drinking.

Convenience: Just drop a tablet into your water bottle and you're done. No measuring powders or mixing required. Perfect for the desk-bound developer.

No Sugar Crash: Unlike energy drinks, there's no spike and crash cycle. The sustained hydration helped maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day.

Noticeable Difference: Several team members reported feeling more alert and focused during afternoon slumps, which is typically when dehydration symptoms hit hardest.

Considerations

Not a Magic Solution: These tablets supplement good hydration habits - they don't replace the need for adequate water intake and breaks.

Taste Preference: While we enjoyed the flavour, taste is subjective. The brand offers multiple flavours if this one doesn't suit you.

Cost Per Serving: It's more expensive than plain water, but comparable to or cheaper than buying sports drinks or energy drinks regularly.

Who Should Consider These?

• Developers who struggle to drink enough water
• Anyone who relies heavily on coffee and wants to balance it out
• Those who experience afternoon energy dips
• People who exercise alongside their desk job
• Anyone looking for a sugar-free hydration option

The Verdict

For our team, electrolyte tablets have become a regular part of our desk setup. They're not going to write code for you, but proper hydration is an often-overlooked aspect of maintaining peak mental performance.

If you find yourself reaching for sugary drinks or struggling with afternoon fatigue, trying a sugar-free electrolyte supplement might be worth exploring. It's a small change that could make a meaningful difference in how you feel during those marathon coding sessions.

Remember: the best productivity hack is often taking care of the basics - sleep, nutrition, and yes, staying properly hydrated.