BetaPower® (Natural Betaine): Hydration and Performance in Probiotic Electrolyte
Overview
BetaPower® is a high-purity, natural form of betaine anhydrous (trimethylglycine) derived from sugar beets. Maeva’s Probiotic Electrolyte hydration mix includes BetaPower to leverage betaine’s unique properties as an osmolyte and performance enhancer. As an osmolyte, betaine helps cells maintain optimal hydration by regulating fluid balance inside and outside the cell.
This is crucial during exercise or caloric restriction, when dehydration or cellular stress can occur. Betaine also serves as a methyl donor in metabolic pathways, which has downstream benefits for muscle function (e.g. supporting creatine synthesis and fat metabolism).
In sports nutrition, betaine supplementation has been shown to improve strength, power, and endurance, making BetaPower a dual-threat ingredient for both hydration and physical performance .
Hydration & Heat Tolerance
BetaPower®’s osmolyte function means it protects cells against osmotic stress (like when you sweat and plasma volume drops or when exercising in heat). It does so by accumulating within cells and drawing water in, thus preserving cell volume and preventing excessive dehydration at the cellular level.
Research indicates that betaine supplementation can improve the body’s hydration status and possibly heat tolerance. For example, studies have shown that betaine can increase intracellular fluid retention, which may help maintain plasma volume during strenuous exercise or heat exposure.
A recent 2023 trial examined 7 days of betaine loading (2×50 mg/kg daily) under heat stress: while it did not significantly change overall fluid balance compared to placebo, both groups saw plasma volume expansion during heat exposure, and betaine tended to have a slightly greater increase (+10.2% vs +6.9%). Though that study didn’t reach significance, earlier work suggested that betaine could reduce sweat rate and core temperature rise, aiding endurance in hot conditions.
Another study reported that betaine (2.5 g/day) improved hydration markers and reduced heart rate under heat stress during exercise, indicating better thermoregulation (though results across studies are mixed). Regardless, as a component of a hydration formula with electrolytes, betaine likely complements salts by further ensuring water is drawn into cells (much like how glycerol or taurine are used for “hyperhydration”).
Strength and Endurance Gains
BetaPower® is also well-documented to boost athletic performance, especially strength and power output. Clinical trials have shown that a daily dose of ~2.5 g betaine (the recommended dose by BetaPower®’s manufacturer) for 2 weeks to a few months can lead to measurable improvements.
In a double-blind study published in JISSN, 14 days of betaine supplementation significantly increased participants’ vertical jump power, bench press force, and squat force compared to placebo. These are meaningful functional gains, indicating more explosive power likely from improved muscle phosphocreatine recycling and neuromuscular performance.
Another trial found that betaine increased the number of squat repetitions to fatigue: after only 1 week, the betaine group could do more reps, and after 2 weeks the improvement was even larger. This suggests betaine enhances muscular endurance. Over a longer term, a 6-week study with betaine (2.5 g/day) in resistance-trained men showed trends of increased lean muscle mass and reduced body fat compared to placebo.
Indeed, a meta-review notes significant improvements in strength, power, and muscle endurance across several betaine trials. Betaine’s mode of action in these gains is twofold:
- Its methyl donation supports creatine synthesis in the body (since forming creatine from amino acids requires methyl groups), more creatine can translate to better ATP availability for short bursts.
- As an osmolyte, betaine may cause muscle cells to swell slightly with water, which can trigger anabolic pathways and boost performance (a hydrated muscle contracts more effectively and is more resistant to fatigue).
BetaPower vs Generic Betaine
BetaPower® is a specific trademarked betaine known for its purity (≥99% betaine from natural sources) and is the form used in many clinical studies. Maeva’s use of BetaPower® ensures we get the same research-backed material. Studies specifically using BetaPower® reported, for instance, that two weeks of BetaPower® led to increases in power output and endurance measures.
Another advantage: BetaPower® is very soluble and has no taste impact, making it ideal for a hydration drink (it mixes clear).
Gut and Metabolic Support
Since Maeva’s hydration product also features a probiotic, it’s interesting that betaine might have complementary metabolic benefits. Betaine helps in liver fat metabolism by donating methyl groups to convert homocysteine to methionine and to synthesize SAMe, potentially reducing homocysteine levels and supporting cardiovascular health.Some emerging research even suggests betaine could improve body composition by reducing fat accumulation (one study on swimmers showed a reduction in body fat percentage after betaine supplementation).
Additionally, betaine’s hydration of intestinal cells might assist the gut barrier, there’s evidence that betaine can reduce gut permeability under heat stress (though a certain 2023 study didn’t find a large effect, earlier rodent data is positive). In any case, Maeva’s Probiotic Electrolyte is formulated to combat dehydration and support gut health; BetaPower® fits perfectly by keeping both muscle cells and perhaps even intestinal cells well-hydrated and functioning optimally.
User Experience
With BetaPower® in the mix, users can expect that the hydration booster does more than a typical electrolyte drink. Subjectively, betaine can help you feel “fresher” and less drained during workouts, particularly in warm conditions. It might help maintain exercise performance toward the end of a session (when dehydration and heat could otherwise cause decline). Some users notice they feel less thirsty or recover faster after exercise with betaine.
Over weeks, if training, one might see improvements in how much weight they can lift or how many reps they can do – consistent with the clinical results where betaine users gained an edge in strength and endurance. Combined with proper protein (Maeva’s shake) and creatine (in the shake or muscle booster), betaine can contribute to better muscle preservation during weight loss, a key goal for GLP-1 users who are cutting calories. In fact, by helping maintain cellular hydration, betaine may indirectly support muscle function on calorie-restricted diets, as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are a common challenge when eating less.
Summary
In summary, BetaPower® natural betaine is a multipurpose ingredient in Maeva’s Hydration booster that offers improved cellular hydration, contributing to better endurance and heat tolerance, and clinically proven performance gains in strength and power. Its inclusion ensures that staying hydrated with Maeva isn’t just about water and salts, but also about optimizing your muscle cells’ fluid balance and function at a deep level.
This science-backed addition thus helps users “power through” workouts or busy days with greater resilience and strength, truly exemplifying Maeva’s commitment to evidence-driven formulations.
