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Performance hydration startup 2O3 has announced the commercial launch of its first ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage, pairing high-dose electrolytes with natural honey to support rapid fluid absorption and sustained physical energy.

Co-founded by record-holding powerlifter Johnny Kaufman and consumer packaged goods entrepreneur Nelson Cury, the brand enters the functional sports nutrition sector with a liquid format formulated around the physiological role of carbohydrates in hydration. The beverage combines targeted electrolyte levels with glucose sourced naturally from honey to facilitate active sodium and water transport across the intestinal barrier.

Packaged in 16-ounce non-carbonated bottles, the product debuts across two initial fruit flavours and is formulated without refined sugars, synthetic ingredients, or artificial sweeteners.

Formulation and Electrolyte Matrix

The formulation of 2O3 was engineered to match the electrolyte and carbohydrate requirements of athletes undergoing demanding training and competitive performance.

Each 16-ounce bottle delivers an electrolyte profile calibrated to replace minerals lost through sweat, paired with unprocessed honey:

1,000mg Sodium: Formulated to replenish significant sodium losses incurred during intense physical exertion.

340mg Potassium: Supports muscular function and intracellular fluid balance.

60mg Magnesium: Contributes to electrolyte equilibrium and standard metabolic function.

Natural Honey Carbohydrate Base: Provides naturally occurring glucose and fructose to drive sodium-glucose co-transport for fluid retention, while supplying readily available and sustained carbohydrate energy.

Clean-Label Architecture: Formulated entirely without processed cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial high-intensity sweeteners.

Nelson Cury, co-founder of 2O3, whose family has operated in sugar production in Brazil across four generations, stated that modern sports nutrition dialogues often treat dietary sugars through an overly binary lens. Cury explained that removing carbohydrates entirely often compromises the functional efficacy of hydration delivery, noting that 2O3 was developed to utilise honey purposefully within sports nutrition rather than relying on synthetic alternatives.

Flavour Lineup and Packaging

The 2O3 ready-to-drink beverage enters commercial availability across two fruit-forward varieties made with real fruit ingredients:

🍋‍🟩 Hydro-Lime: A crisp, citrus formulation pairing tart lime with the natural sweetness of honey and mineral salts.

🥭 Orange Mango: A rounded tropical profile blending orange and mango notes with functional electrolytes.

Packaged in single-serve 16-ounce non-carbonated ready-to-drink bottles, the format provides athletes with a portable, pre-mixed alternative to manual electrolyte-and-carbohydrate mixing.

Athlete Development and Powdered Honey Innovation

The concept behind 2O3 originated in competitive powerlifting and strength sports, where athletes historically mixed raw honey with salt and electrolyte solutions to maintain performance during multi-hour sessions.

Johnny Kaufman and Nelson Cury structured the company's product development directly around feedback from elite strength athletes. The brand's founding athlete team includes Kaufman alongside prominent powerlifters Jamal Browner, Austin Perkins, Rondel Hunte, and Sean Mills, who contributed to the formulation parameters to ensure the beverage met the demands of heavy training regimes.

While the 16-ounce liquid bottle serves as 2O3's market debut, the company confirmed that it has spent three years developing a proprietary shelf-stable powdered honey technology. The enterprise plans to deploy this powdered ingredient platform in future phases to expand the 2O3 hydration architecture across additional product formats and form factors.