What Can Alkaline88 Sport Add to Your Hydration Regimen?

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We tested this basic hydration supporter to see how beneficial this electrolyte-infused beverage could be.

You know the classic recommendation of drinking eight glasses of water per day. This general guideline can be great for average individuals, but if you live an active lifestyle, you need a little more to maintain those peak hydration levels. Sure, you can turn to sugary sports drinks that contain a bunch of electrolytes, but if you know the backstory to these beverages, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

One potential outlet that can help you quench even the most heightened thirst levels is alkaline water. This trendy alternative to normal drinking water carries a higher pH level, which is said to reduce blood viscosity so your blood can flow more efficiently. This can help deliver oxygen throughout your body to keep you moving and performing at your best.

Alkaline88, makers of premium beverages endorsed by the likes of Shaquille O'Neil and others, recently combined the hydration-boosting benefits of alkaline water with performance-enhancing electrolytes in the all-new Alkaline88 Sport. Boasting functional ingredients such as guarana, ginseng and a slew of vitamins in a functional infuser cap for premium potency and freshness, this all-new sports quencher could be the next big thing in sports hydration.

To see if this latest beverage could be a welcome addition to our normal hydration routine, we tested Alkaline88 Sport over the course of a week, turning to the innovative drink before, during and after intense physical activity. Would this flavorful alternative replace our trusted training water bottle? Would we be shunning the kitchen sink or water fountain for good in favor of this pH balanced fuel? We'll dive into our findings soon enough, but first, let's get a little background information on what alkaline water is and just how it differs from normal tap water.

There are a number of substances that range in acidity on the pH scale from 0–14. The lower the number, the more acidic it is. The higher the pH, the more basic it is. Normal tap water generally sits in the middle with a pH of 7, which is considered neutral. Alkaline water, on the other hand, ranges in pH levels between 8 and 9. This higher alkalinity is believed to harbor a number of health benefits, including rebalancing the bloodstream's acidity levels, supporting the immune system and potentially carrying anti-aging properties.

While there aren't many studies to confirm or deny these claims, there aren't any known side effects to consuming alkaline water. So, if you're curious about the benefits, the best way is to give alkaline water a shot. We've already done the leg work on this electrolyte-boosted option, though, so let's see how we fared with this all-new concoction.

To help deliver the included minerals and electrolytes to the pH balanced water, Alkaline88 Sport uses a unique infuser cap that injects the solution right into the beverage just before your first sip. To activate it, simply twist the cap and the stream of natural flavors plus guarana, ginseng and vitamins B-12, B-6, B-5 and B-3 falls right into the mix.

We enjoyed this added feature not just for the sake of freshness and improved potency; it's also just downright fun to watch. Whether refueling after a long run or just getting started in the gym, we always had to smile as the flavored electrolyte solution slowly took over the once-clear water. And when you take that first gulp of Alkaline88 Sport, you can taste the fresh, zero sugar ingredients. Everything was enjoyable and definitely not, ahem, watered down like some other hydration solutions. We did feel like our hydration was maintained, and the electrolytes were supportive in their thirst-quenching abilities.

Aside from the slew of beneficial ingredients that target your hydration levels, Alkaline88 Sport is also calorie-free. Similar to normal tap water, this caught our attention as a promising solution for any dieting routine. The electrolytes and minerals can help fuel your training, and you won't need to worry about a caloric surplus, which can be a concern when fueling up with other sports drinks.

Seriously, we cannot hide our affection for the initial infusion process with Alkaline88 Sport, but the joy began to dwindle as our workouts progressed. As the solution sat and we sipped intermittently throughout our training, the flavor did begin to lose a little of its punch. This could be the result of the solution infusing across the entire bottle rather than being concentrated at the top. We found that the most enjoyable drinking experience with Alkaline88 Sport was using it as a quick refresher, finishing the 15.6-ounce bottle in only a handful of gulps upon infusion.

Alkaline88 Sport is currently available online for $39.99 per 12-pack. This roughly equates to over $3 per bottle, making it one of the more expensive beverages targeting sports hydration. At less than 16 ounces per container, the cost is not as wallet-friendly as other hydration solutions. Even compared to Alkaline88's traditional alkaline water — a 12-pack of aluminum-bottled water with similar ounces is less than $27 — the Sport model shows premium pricing, which could affect your interest in swapping out your go-to refillable water jug.

While we enjoyed the variety of flavors and effectiveness of Alkaline88 Sport, we think this new hydration-boosting beverage is best served as a sporadic treat rather than a full-time replacement to normal tap water. With not enough evidence to prove its overall benefits, along with a premium price point, we'll probably end up choosing our insulated Hydro Flask more often than not. However, if you're looking for a clean and fresh alternative to mix things up for your palette or drinking routine, Alkaline88 Sport does provide plenty of pop to keep your dehydration at bay.