Recently I tried Nuun Instant. Over the past several years, I’ve drank and tried almost every single Nuun flavor. I’m not associated with them, but I’ve found Nuun to be a good option. That is until I moved to the desert. The desert is brutal, and oftentimes, there is no shade to hide behind. Some days it’s 110, and it’s always hot. In fact, it’s so hot your sweat will often evaporate before cooling you. Who knew that was a thing?
Regular hydration products have not been as helpful as they once were, so I started trying other products. That’s how I stumbled upon Nuun Instant.
So What is the differences between Nuun and Nuun Instant?
Nuun Instant is designed to relieve dehydration fast, especially when dehydration is apparent. It’s based on Oral Rehydration Solution or ORT. The World Health Organization developed ORT. It was designed to treat individuals experiencing illness because of dehydration. It was not originally created for running or fitness, but it can help tremendously.
About Nuun:
One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “how do you pronounce Nuun”? Like noon. Nuun was the first company to separate electrolytes from carbohydrates. Before Nuun was created, if you wanted to get electrolytes, you were forced to also drink a sugary product.
12 years later, Nuun is the number one selling sports drink tab in the cycling, running, and outdoor specialty marketplaces.
My experience with Nuun Instant:
Right now, there are two flavors of Nuun Instant: watermelon and lemon-lime. Of the two flavors, I prefer the watermelon, but both taste good. Unlike “Regular” Nuun, the Nuun instant is powdered and not a tab.
What makes Nuun Instant Different:
- packed with electrolytes
- 25 calories/Only 5 grams of sugar
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- No artificial flavors
- Kosher
My first experience with Nuun Instant was in the middle of a 10 miler. In the desert, I almost always need hydration for over 3 miles. This wasn’t the case on the East Coast, and I could usually finish a 10 mile run without hydration. Out in the desert, if I attempt 10 miles without hydration, is not only dumb, but I’ll be walking around mile 6. I drink some sort of electrolyte mix any run over 3 miles (which is pretty much any run). Anyway, I tried Nuun Instant around mile 5 and my regular hydration time.
The taste of Nuun Instant is not my favorite. I mixed it with water, and the flavor felt extremely diluted. For me to enjoy the flavor, I mixed it with 4 ounces of water which wasn’t enough hydration. Both flavors of Nuun Instant are tolerable, but they are diluted, and I would prefer more flavor. Although Nuun as a brand is a fairly muted flavor, you may prefer it if you like less flavor. It’s actually my spouses favorite hydration product because he prefers something with less flavor.
I did notice a difference between using it versus not using it. I was skeptical about the lack of calories to feel a lot better. I felt good during the last few miles of my run and noticed more of a difference using that versus other Nuun products.
Nuun Instant Conclusion:
Nuun Instant does work, and you’ll feel more energy. If you prefer a more muted flavor in your hydration products, Nuun Instant is a great option. Personally, I prefer something a little sweeter, but it does get the job done at the end of the day, which is the most important part.
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Questions for you:
Have you tried Nuun Instant?
What is your favorite electrolyte brand?
NUUN has been my go-to for the most part. But, I also really like GU hydration. It’s a bit sweeter.
Great review. Nuun has been my go to for years. I’ll have to try it since the heat here in Florida is brutal, too
Ha I’ve spent some time in Florida and it’s like running in soup!
Right?!! It’s totally ruined my running game living here lol!!!
I love the Nuun tabs. I found them thanks to your review. I tried the instant and did not like the aftertaste. I didn’t like the during taste either to be honest. 🙂 I don’t know what it is but it’s like sour salty and my taste buds do not like it. I also tried Nuun recover and it’s a similar flavor that is overpowering and I just can’t drink it. So I stick to the tabs. Perhaps it’s a mixing issue. The tabs dissolve so easily but the powders you have to keep shaking or stir to get them to mix in and I am not into that. Midwest runner so dry heat isn’t usually a problem, I just use it to stay hydrated year round. It has made a difference. Thank you for all your reviews and helping me find Nuun.
The taste was off for me too Nancy and I couldn’t really pinpoint it. I’m more of a tabs person myself I think. I have recently tried the Nuun Prime which I like more and hasn’t given me a weird taste. I’ll have a review of that soon too.