Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Drink Mix Review (2024)
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If you want to take multiple supplements, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Having a combination supplement can be a great way to easily take several different beneficial supplements.
Today, we’ll be looking at Harlo 3-in-1 electrolytes, collagen, and creatine drink mix. We’ll go over the pros and cons of a supplement like this, so you can decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Drink Mix Review – This supplement is a convenient way to get all of its ingredients in a single serving. However, the average person does not need extra electrolytes in their diet. So, most people would likely be better off just consuming creatine or protein on their own.
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix Quick Summary
Harlo 3-in-1 Drink
- Best For: Building Muscle, Endurance Training, High-Intensity Exercise Performance, Muscular Strength, Training Volume, Muscular Endurance, Reducing Fatigue
- Special Ingredients: Electrolytes, Collagen Peptides, Creatine Monohydrate
- Flavors: Citrus Salt, Raspberry Salt, Pineapple Salt, Watermelon Salt
- Electrolytes per Serving: 1,310mg (not including chloride)
- Protein per Serving: 9g
- Creatine per Serving: 3g
- Price per Serving: ~$1.50
With electrolytes, collagen, and creatine, Harlo combines three popular sports supplements into one convenient package. But, is it worth it?
The main issue with this supplement is the electrolytes. While electrolyte supplementation can be beneficial for endurance athletes, the average person gets enough electrolytes through food alone and does not need electrolyte supplementation.
Harlo contains 46% of your recommended daily intake of sodium. With the average person in the US already eating far more sodium than necessary, adding this much more daily probably isn’t a good idea. So, in our opinion, only endurance athletes should drink Harlo electrolytes.
However, if you are an endurance athlete who wants to drink Harlo, it certainly can be used as an effective electrolyte supplement. We recommend mixing each serving with ~1 liter of water to stay in line with the AIS’ guidelines of 0.5-0.7g of sodium/L of fluid during endurance exercise.
Keep in mind that sodium intake should be contextual and individualized based on your needs rather than guessing.
Meanwhile, collagen has some potential to be a beneficial source of protein that may have some benefits related to skin and joint health. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t contain all 9 essential amino acids, – namely tryptophan – so it’s not considered a complete protein source.
Each serving of Harlo contains 10g of collagen. For exercise recovery and protein intake we would advise looking for more well-rounded protein sources like whey protein.
Finally, creatine is a beneficial sports supplement for improving high-intensity exercise performance when taken every day. Harlo contains 3g of creatine monohydrate, which falls into the recommended, but low range of 3-5g for a daily dose.
So, while creatine and collagen supplements may be beneficial to the average human being, such high doses of electrolytes are not.
We only recommend this supplement to serious endurance athletes who need electrolyte supplementation. Otherwise, you’re likely better off taking creatine and whey protein on their own instead.
Pros and Cons of Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix
Now that we’ve done a quick overview of Harlo’s supplement, let’s weigh out the pros and cons. This will hopefully help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
3 Pros of Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix
First let’s take a look at the pros, which include the benefits for endurance athletes, solid doses of creatine and collagen, and affordability.
✅ Ideal for Endurance Athletes
First, while we want to make it clear that electrolyte supplements aren’t necessary for the average person, they can be very beneficial for endurance athletes. So, if you are a serious endurance athlete looking for an electrolyte supplement, Harlo 3-in-1 performance drink mix may be an easy way to include collagen (if this is something you’re looking for specifically) and creatine into your supplement regime as well.
✅ Solid Doses of Creatine and Collagen
At 10g of collagen and 3g of creatine per serving, Harlo contains standard doses of both these ingredients. As a result, if you are an endurance athlete, this supplement serves as a convenient alternative to taking both of these ingredients on their own. Just keep in mind that you may want to take both of these ingredients every day, which may not be ideal considering the high electrolyte content.
If you’re wondering, “Can you take creatine and collagen together?” Yes, there are no downsides to combining these two supplements.
✅ Good Price Point
Finally, it’s worth noting that Harlo 3-in-1 does come at a fairly affordable price, especially when breaking down its components. Each serving will only cost ~$1.50, which is likely less than you’d be paying for each component individually.
2 Cons of Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix
Now, let’s look at the main downsides, which are Harlo’s high electrolyte content, and taste.
❌ High Electrolyte Content Won’t Be Suitable for Most People
As we’ve already covered above, the main drawback to this product is that its high electrolyte content is unnecessary and unsuitable for the vast majority of people. As a result, we can only recommend this supplement to endurance athletes who would benefit from electrolyte supplementation.
❌ Taste
Additionally, because of the high electrolyte content of this supplement, we found the taste to be very salty, even when heavily diluted. So, if you’re looking for a supplement with a pleasant, sweet flavor, Harlo 3-in-1 won’t be for you.
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix vs. Alternatives
Finally, we’ll be looking at some single-ingredient alternatives to Harlo 3-in-1 in case you want creatine, collagen, or electrolytes on their own instead of as part of a combination supplement.
Criteria | Harlo 3-in-1 | Kaged Creatine Monohydrate | Transparent Labs Collagen | Transparent Labs Hydration |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ingredients and Dose | Electrolytes: 1,310mg (not including chloride) Collagen: 10g Creatine: 3g | Creatine: 5g | Collagen: 11g | Electrolytes: 884mg (not including chloride) |
Price per Serving | ~$1.50 | ~$0.30 | ~$1.17 | ~$0.75 |
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix vs. Kaged Creatine Monohydrate
First, we have a basic creatine monohydrate supplement from Kaged. Each serving of Kaged’s creatine is 5g, which is slightly more than Harlo, and is an ideal daily dose for most people.
Kaged Creatine Monohydrate
- Supplement Type: Creatine
- Best For: Building Muscles, Increasing Strength, Muscular Endurance, High-Intensity Performance, Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Added Sugar: 0g
- Price per Serving: ~$0.35
- Servings per Package: 100
- Recommended by Athletes: Andrea Somer, Colt Nichols, Kris Gethin
This is a basic, single-ingredient supplement perfect for anybody who just wants the benefits of creatine. Each serving will only cost ~$0.30 making it very affordable as well.
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix vs. Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate
Next, we have Collagen Hydrolysate from Transparent Labs. Each serving contains 11g of collagen, which is similar to what you’re getting from Harlo. This is another basic supplement, perfect for those who just want collagen. Each serving will cost ~$1.17, making it only slightly cheaper than Harlo’s 3-in-1 supplement.
Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate
- Collagen Source: Grass-fed Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen Peptides
- Suitable For Vegans: No
- Serving Size: 11 grams
- Price Per Serving: ~$1.2
- Protein: 10 grams
- Sodium: 35 milligrams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Added Sugar: 0 gram
- Calories Per Serving: 40
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended By Athletes: Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Terron Beckham, Paul Sklar
Just keep in mind that most likely you will benefit more from regular whey protein that from collagen supplement which often comes with higher price.
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix vs. Transparent Labs Hydration Powder
Finally, we have Hydration Powder from Transparent Labs. Like Harlo, we mainly recommend this to endurance athletes who need electrolyte supplements.
Hydrate by Transparent Labs
- Form: Powder
- Flavors: Tropical Punch, Peach Mango
- Key Ingredients: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium
- Additional Ingredients: Coconut Water Powder, Taurine
- Package Information: 304g
- Servings: 40
- Price Per Serving: ~$0.75
- Company Founded: 2012
- Recommended by athletes: Paul Sklar, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
This does have significantly fewer electrolytes than Harlo per serving with 884mg total, and 500mg of sodium. Each serving of this supplement costs ~$0.75, making it similar to Harlo in terms of price for total electrolyte content.
Conclusion
Overall, while Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix may be a convenient combination of electrolytes, creatine, and collagen for some endurance athletes, its electrolyte content is far too high for the average person. As a result, we recommend considering your own needs and exercising caution before buying this supplement.
Have you ever taken any combination supplements before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
References:
- The Nutrition Source, “Salt and Sodium,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/salt-and-sodium/ (Accessed Sep. 20, 2024)
- AIS Sports Supplement Framework, “Electrolyte Replacement Supplements,” AIS, https://www.ais.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1000487/36194_Sport-supplement-fact-sheets-electrolytes-v5.pdf (Accessed Sep. 20, 2024)
- The Nutrition Source, “Collagen,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/ (Accessed Sep. 20, 2024)
- The Nutrition Source, “Protein,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/what-should-you-eat/protein/ (Accessed Sep. 20, 2024)
- Kreider RB, et. al. “International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine.” J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Jun 13;14:18. (2017).
- All photos made by Torokhtiy Media Team.
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Author: Jacek Szymanowski
Certified Nutritionist,
M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology
Performance Architect,
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
With over 30 years of fighting experience, specialization in nutrition coaching for athletes, and expertise in metabolic health and dietary strategies, Jacek offers a comprehensive approach to optimizing your performance and well-being. Backed by a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology, Jacek remains at the forefront of scientific advancements, ensuring that his coaching is always evidence-based and up-to-date.
Still have questions after reading our article? Unlock your full potential by engaging with our experts and community! Don’t hesitate — leave a comment below and Jacek Szymanowski will provide a personalized answer and insights to help you reach your goals.