Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effect of Gum Acacia and Electrolytes on Hydration After an Exercise-indued Dehydration

This study is testing new rehydration drinks for healthy, active men. It wants to find out if drinks containing an ingredient called gum acacia, sometimes with added 'sea electrolytes' (like magnesium), are better at rehydrating your body after exercise than just drinking water. Participants will exercise to become a little dehydrated, then try each drink on different occasions to see how well they work. The aim is to develop better drinks for people who exercise, to help them recover their fluids more effectively and safely. While gum acacia has shown promise in lab studies, this is the first time its rehydration effects are being tested in people.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Nexira

Enrolment target

Start

01 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2026

Healthy Adult Male

What is this study about?

When you exercise, especially in warmer weather or for a long time, your body loses water and important salts called electrolytes through sweat. This can lead to dehydration, which can make you feel tired and affect your performance. Getting enough fluids back into your body, known as rehydration, is really important for your health and recovery.

This study is looking at some new types of drinks to see how well they help your body rehydrate after exercise. Specifically, it's comparing a drink with a natural ingredient called gum acacia, another drink that combines gum acacia with natural 'sea electrolytes' (like magnesium), and plain water. Researchers want to understand if these special drinks are more effective than water at helping your body get back to its normal fluid balance.

Previous studies in a lab have suggested that gum acacia might help your body absorb water and electrolytes better. This new study is an important step to see if these promising effects also happen in real people. The drinks with sea electrolytes are designed to provide the right balance of salts without needing as many ingredients as some other sports drinks, aiming for a simpler and potentially more natural way to rehydrate.

Key takeaways

It tests new drinks for rehydration in active men.
Compares drinks with gum acacia to water.
Aims to find better ways to recover fluids after exercise.
It's the first time these drinks are tested in people.
You'll do exercise and drink different test beverages.
Helps advance understanding of sports hydration.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy men between the ages of 18 and 40. To join, you should be a healthy weight (with a BMI between 18 and 25) and already exercise regularly, but not at a professional level. Your heart rate and blood pressure should be within healthy ranges when you're resting.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you've been unwell recently (like with a cold or stomach bug) or have any injuries that would stop you from exercising. You also can't take part if you have any long-term health problems like heart conditions, diabetes, problems with your muscles, or kidney disease, as these could affect the study's results or your safety.

The research team will carefully check your health to make sure it's safe for you to take part and that you meet all the requirements for the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a man aged between 18 and 40?
Do you have a healthy body weight (BMI 18-25)?
Do you regularly exercise for fun or fitness?
Are you generally healthy with no major long-term illnesses?
Have you been well and injury-free for the last two weeks?
Is your resting heart rate and blood pressure usually normal?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll visit the study centre on a few occasions. Before each main visit, you'll need to prepare by following specific instructions about what you can eat and drink, and what activity you can do. This helps make sure everyone starts the experiment on an equal footing.

During each main visit, you'll do some exercise to make you mildly dehydrated. Afterwards, you'll be given one of the test drinks (either gum acacia, gum acacia with sea electrolytes, or plain water) to drink. The order in which you receive these drinks will be random. The research team will then monitor your body's response, likely by taking measurements over a period to see how well you rehydrate. This process will be repeated for each of the different drinks.

Overall, the study involves a series of visits, each following a similar pattern of preparation, exercise, drinking the test product, and being monitored. The researchers will explain the exact number of visits and the full duration of your involvement before you consent to take part.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a study like this could help researchers understand better ways to rehydrate after exercise, which could ultimately benefit many active people. While unlikely, there's always a small chance of discomfort or mild side effects from the exercise or the drinks themselves. For example, you might feel tired from the exercise or have an upset stomach from the drinks. The researchers will monitor you closely to ensure your safety, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Analyze & Realize GmbH
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany

Common questions

What is gum acacia?

Gum acacia is a natural ingredient that comes from the acacia tree. It's often used in food and drinks.

What are 'sea electrolytes'?

These are simply salts and minerals, like magnesium, that are found naturally in seawater. They are important for your body's fluid balance.

Why is this study only for men?

Sometimes, studies focus on one sex first to simplify the results. Once they understand the effects, they might research the effects on women too.

Will I know which drink I'm getting?

No, you won't know which drink you're getting each time. This helps ensure the results are fair and unbiased.

Will I be paid for taking part?

The study information will explain if there's any payment or reimbursement for your time and travel.

How to find out more

Damien Guillemet, MSc

d.guillemet@nexira.com +33682422169 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.