Herbalife Spotlights the “Science of Sweat” and the 15-Minute Halftime Window in “Fuel Like Ronaldo” Campaign

Sports performance experts outline how athletes can use breaks to refuel, rehydrate and protect second-half performance

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, is expanding its global “Fuel Like Ronaldo” campaign with in-competition fueling guidance, highlighting the 15-minute halftime break as one of the most important fueling windows of a match and the moment when the second half is decided.

While halftime may pause play, it remains one of the most important moments for athletes to refuel and prepare for the second half. According to Herbalife’s sports performance experts, what happens during these 15 minutes can influence speed, reaction time and endurance once play resumes.

“Most fans see halftime as a break. We see it as the most important fueling window of the match,” said Dr. Krissy Ladner, Director of Sports Performance and Nutrition Education at Herbalife. “Fifteen minutes of focused refueling can be the difference between holding pace through the second half and watching it slip away.”

Athletes can lose between one and three liters of sweat per hour of training. A fluid loss of just two percent of body weight is enough to measurably impair performance, with consequences ranging from slower sprint speed and reaction times to impaired ball control. A four percent loss can have more drastic consequences and may require medical attention. For context, a 180-pound athlete reaches the two percent threshold after losing less than four pounds of sweat, which is well within the range of a 90-minute match played in hot summer conditions.

Sweat is not just water. It contains sodium and chloride (together, salt), along with potassium, magnesium and calcium. Each plays a specific role: sodium and chloride regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, nerve signaling and muscle contraction; potassium supports nutrient delivery and heart function; magnesium supports muscle and nerve function and bone health; calcium drives muscle contraction and nerve signaling. When these are not replaced, athletes can experience cramping, fatigue, headache, slower reaction time, dizziness and, in serious cases, an irregular heartbeat.

Water alone is generally not enough for sessions longer than an hour. A well-formulated sports drink delivers sugar to fuel the muscles and brain, sodium to hold fluid in the body and replace electrolyte losses, and flavor that encourages athletes to keep drinking, which is essential when sweat losses are high.

The “Fuel Like Ronaldo” framework breaks halftime fueling into three priorities. Carbohydrates: 30 to 60 grams of easy-to-digest simple carbs, typically a sports drink plus a banana, a carbohydrate gel or a small handful of energy chews, to top up muscle glycogen for high-intensity work and refuel the brain and nervous system. Electrolytes: sodium is the priority, since it holds fluid in the body and keeps athletes from falling behind on hydration. Fluid volume: 12 to 24 fluid ounces during the halftime window, supported by a steady rate of 4 to 8 fluid ounces every 15 minutes across the full match to minimize body weight change and help cool core temperature.

The same principles apply at every level. Weekend players, runners, cyclists and anyone exercising for more than 60 minutes or sweating visibly can benefit from sodium, and when training is hard enough to make breathing heavy, carbohydrates. These needs only increase when training outdoors in summer heat, when athletes sweat more and lose electrolytes faster. The simplest habit is to drink consistently rather than waiting until thirst sets in, and to add electrolytes during longer or sweat-heavy sessions instead of relying on water alone.

Through the “Fuel Like Ronaldo” campaign, inspired by global sports icon Cristiano Ronaldo, Herbalife continues to translate sports nutrition science into practical guidance that helps individuals prepare, perform, recover and repeat.

To learn more about the campaign and fueling strategies, visit www.FuelLikeRonaldo.com.

Herbalife is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official sponsor or partner of FIFA or the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Herbalife Ltd.

Herbalife is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.

For more information, visit https://ir.herbalife.com.