Our history is rooted in over 20 years of collaborative medical research between Flinders and Yale Universities. Our research team’s original goal was to create a better oral rehydration solution (ORS) to treat severe dehydration in developing countries. In setting out on a quest to save millions of lives lost through severe dehydration from diseases like cholera and rotavirus, our research team developed something truly remarkable. Their efforts focused on enhancing total water absorption in the body by tapping into the largely unused potential in the large intestine to absorb up to 5L of fluid per day. Using a unique resistant starch (RS), our research team developed a patent-pending RS-ORS, which was able to enhance hydration and improve health outcomes by 39% compared with the World Health Organisations’ recommended ORS (Ramakrishna et al 2000).
Through a joint venture focussed on innovation between Flinders University and the Adelaide Football Club, the technology’s application to enhance elite athlete hydration and performance was identified. The cutting-edge medical research was adapted into the two-step PREPD hydration system to meet the hydration needs of elite athletes. In 2014, Flinders demonstrated in a clinical trial with the Adelaide Crows that PREPD; 1) improved starting hydration, 2) enhanced fluid absorption during exertion, and 3) enhanced rehydration in recovery when compared with drinking leading sports drinks only. During the trial period athletes drinking PREPD lost a remarkable 85% less bodyweight overall. Results from the trial have now been published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and you can read the trial case study здесь.
After achieving ground-breaking hydration results in the clinical trial with the Adelaide Crows, we partnered with Steric Trading (who own and make Staminade) to develop our products from proof-of-concept stage to market ready drinks. With prototypes ready for consumer testing in early 2017, we secured a TechInSA Early Commercialisation Grant to finalise product development, prepare for market launch and raise capital, before closing our seed funding round in June 2018.
We have now successfully trialled and tested PREPD with over 200 athletes across a diverse range of sports including triathlon, cycling, running, AFL, soccer, netball, motorsport, netball, rowing and surfing. We consistently receive glowing, positive feedback from both elite and recreational athletes who have trialled PREPD and can ‘feel the hydration difference’. Feedback after using the two-step PREPD typically includes; feeling less thirsty during exertion and experiencing less cramping, fewer headaches after exertion, lower reduction in weight from fluid loss, and lighter coloured urine. All key indicators of being better hydrated. After drinking PREPD athletes often describe feeling more energetic and able to maintain consistent performance throughout long training sessions and competition.
PREPD launched on 7th November 2018 and is available for purchase здесь.
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