“In general, water should be sufficient hydration for a regular workout, but electrolyte drinks are beneficial in high intensity workouts in warm environments, regardless of duration,” says Dr. Sprague.
Drinking beverages that contain electrolytes can both rehydrate you quicker than plain water and it can keep you feeling hydrated longer than plain water.
Is it OK to drink electrolytes every day? You can drink electrolytes every day (or choose to consume a supplement instead). This is especially necessary if you exercise and/or sweat often. Electrolytes will help replace minerals, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium, that are lost when you sweat or get sick.
Drinking electrolyte water is not a requirement in everyday life, but it can boost health in certain instances. "Trace minerals in regular water, combined with a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, can be enough to meet the daily requirements in healthy population," Jones says.
But just like anything, too many electrolytes can be unhealthy: Too much sodium, formally referred to as hypernatremia, can cause dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Too much potassium, known as hyperkalemia, can impact your kidney function and cause heart arrhythmia, nausea, and an irregular pulse.
Staying hydrated is so important on a daily basis, but even more so when it's hot and kids are so active! I've written a post about hydration here before because it's just so important. Anyway, moving on, Hydralyte have released a whole bunch of Electrolyte products for rehydration that you can use everyday.
“Some of the common symptoms of electrolyte imbalances include muscle twitching and muscle cramps, increased thirst, poor endurance, salt craving and irritability,” says Zachary Sprague, DO, a family medicine physician with expertise in sports medicine at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.
However, they can be used for different purposes. Gatorade provides energy in the form of carbohydrates, with some electrolyes, to help you train longer without fatigue. Electrolyte water has a high electrolyte content without the carbs to replenish what you sweat out.
If you just drink water when you're dehydrated, and don't replace the electrolytes, it's like adding extra water to a cup of coffee—it will just get weaker and weaker, and there won't be enough electrolytes in your body fluids to maintain proper function.
Best Overall: Gatorade
The levels of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) are moderate and sensible with 160 mg of sodium and 45mg of potassium per 12 fluid ounce serving. You can also find Gatorade varieties with higher sodium, zero sugar or no calories depending on your needs.
Your electrolytes can be checked with either a blood or urine test. The blood test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. For a urine test, you provide a urine sample in a specimen container.
Drinking too much water, can cause the electrolyte levels in the body to get out of whack and cause sodium levels plummet. The nerve and heart issues that occur with over-hydration can be deadly.
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: inability to keep fluids in the stomach (for example, due to vomiting that is severe or doesn't stop), difficulty urinating, intestinal blockage.
Hydralyte has been formulated to contain the correct balance of glucose and electrolytes for rapid rehydration. It contains up to 75% less sugar than the leading sports drinks. Hydralyte is hypotonic, which means it's the most rapidly absorbed fluid type for rehydration of body cells.
Hydralyte is a global leader in delivering clinical hydration. With up to 75% less sugar and 4x the electrolytes compared to leading sports drinks, Hydralyte's formulation is based on the World Health Organization criteria for rapid and effective rehydration and is recommended by medical professionals around the world.