Hydration drinks, sports drinks, electrolyte drinks – whatever you want to call them, are big news. The biggest name – Prime – is famous for being the beverage of choice for teens, selling out in shops and being sold for ridiculously bumped up prices by people trying to make a quick profit.
Now Sneak, known for their highly popular energy drinks, have jumped onto the bandwagon with their version of the gaming hydration drink – Sneak Hydrate. We’ve previously looked at their sugar-free caffeinated energy drinks to see if Sneak Energy deserves the hype and loved the intense flavours and boost they gave us. But is their new offering the best gaming hydration drink and worth your attention?
What is Sneak Hydrate?
Taking a look on Sneak’s website tells you that Sneak Hydrate has the same Sneak flavour, just no caffeine. This means that you can enjoy the drink at any time of day or night without experiencing the stimulating effects of caffeine.
It contains zero sugar, natural flavours and colours and currently comes in three OG Sneak flavours: Cherry Bomb, Electric Mango and Raspberry Lemonade.
What makes Sneak Hydrate different to Sneak Energy is the inclusion of a few choice supplements that may have some positive effects on the body:
- 5 electrolytes – sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and chloride.
- Vitamins and minerals – vitamin C, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12) and zinc.
- Other active ingredients – Taurine, panax ginseng extract, CocoMineral, ashwagandha KSM-66, L-choline bitartrate and Himalayan fine pink salt.
Why drink Sneak Hydrate?
There are countless scientific studies to back up the claim that dehydration impairs cognition, so for those of us who need to stay alert and on top gaming form throughout the day (or night), then staying hydrated is a top priority. Many of us can’t stand the thought of chugging down litres of plain old water, so adding a fruity flavour to it can really help.
Electrolytes are salts, which you lose when you sweat. This is why electrolyte drinks are normally drunk by people before, during and especially after exercise. However, Sneak Hydrate is being marketed as a drink for gamers, not a sports drink, so what could possibly be the benefits of the electrolytes? Scientists did a study looking at how well different drinks kept people hydrated. They tested a range of drinks and found out that electrolyte drinks were top for maintaining fluid levels in the body. This means that sipping on drinks that are high in electrolytes, like Sneak Hydrate, can help you stay more hydrated compared to drinking plain water – good news for those of us who are not the best at remembering to drink throughout the day.
The added vitamins and minerals have been chosen because they contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism, helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue, or they contribute to cognitive function i.e. help you to concentrate better for longer during your gaming sessions.
What’s in Sneak Hydrate?
When it comes to getting results during gaming, or planning a session long into the night, these are all good benefits. However, the NHS website tells us that vitamins and minerals are only needed in very small quantities and can easily be obtained from a balanced diet.
As well as electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, Sneak Hydrate includes a few more ‘premium’ ingredients. Taurine is a mainstay of energy drinks, and has the reported effect of calming the nervous system, whereas ginseng may boost energy and reduce stress and L-Choline Bitartrate may improve brain function.
Possibly the trendiest ingredient of them all is ashwagandha, a herbal supplement that is being chucked into many foods and drinks, hailed as a stress-reducing miracle worker. However, like other health trends, there is no solid evidence to back up the claims being made. In fact, ashwagandha may cause side effects from the mild (upset stomach, headache) to the more serious (mood changes, depression) and may interfere with the efficacy of certain medications. To be fair, Sneak do mention on Sneak Hydrate’s label to consult a doctor if you are on any medication before drinking it and to discontinue use if any adverse side effects are noticed but let’s be honest – who reads the small print? Maybe the best thing to do is not add anything that could cause these problems to your products…
What does Sneak Hydrate taste like?
We are a big fan of Sneak flavours, and Sneak Hydrate does not disappoint on that front. Our favourite has to be Electric Mango, which has a clean, tropical flavour with a sharp edge. Cherry Bomb does exactly what it says on the tub, a burst of cherry sweetness and Raspberry Lemonade is a refreshing blend of sweet and sour.
Despite the addition of salt in the form of all those electrolytes, Sneak Hydrate doesn’t taste too salty. There’s a slight hint of savouriness but no where near the levels of sports electrolyte drinks which taste like you’ve rinsed your drinks bottle in the Atlantic.
How much does Sneak Hydrate cost?
Sneak Hydrate is available in a single 210 g tub that contains enough powder to make 30 servings, when mixed with the recommended 400 ml of water. Each tub is £27, making a serving cost 90p.
You can also get the Hydrate Trio, which contains three tubs, one of each flavour for £81, currently on offer at £65.00, making each serving 72p. Comparing this to Prime, whose recommended retail price is £2 for 500 ml, and Sneak Hydrate is a bit of a bargain in comparison. If you’re not sure what flavour to go for, Sneak are also offering a bundle that contains six single-serving sachets (two of each flavour) for £6.00.
Is Sneak Hydrate the best gaming hydration drink?
If you are after a new tasty gaming hydration drink at a reasonable cost and already love the flavour of Sneak Energy, then Sneak Hydrate might be the drink for you.
Currently, there are only three flavours available but hopefully more will be added to the range in the future. They are ideal as a way of getting more liquids onboard and keeping you hydrated during the most intense of gaming sessions, without the energy boost of caffeine. However, other than the electrolytes, we don’t see the need for all the supplements – they probably don’t add anything to the mix and in some cases, could do more harm than good.
Huge thanks go out to Sneak Energy for providing us with their Sneak Hydrate Trio Pack for review. Hit up Sneak direct if you wish to purchase any of their products.
