Bottom line: Gatorade = more sugar,
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.
Drinking electrolyte water is not a daily requirement, especially if you're getting enough trace minerals through regular water and a balanced diet. However, it can boost your health in certain instances. If you are extremely active and sweating a lot on a day-to-day basis, then electrolyte water could help you.
Other hydration methods
Fluids like tea, juice, coconut water, and milk also provide plenty of water, as do many fruits and vegetables. In fact, research shows coconut water hydrates just as well as a carbohydrate sports drinks or plain water, and may be easier to drink in large quantities than sweeter sports drinks.
Milk is more hydrating than water
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
“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.
It's not a good idea to turn electrolyte drinks into your go-to beverage throughout the day. “It's certainly possible to go overboard with them,” warns Zumpano. Guzzling a sports drink isn't the same as sipping water for basic hydration, after all.
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.
Drinking too much electrolyte water causes an excess of potassium, resulting in muscle weakness and abnormal heart rhythms. Rather drink a combination; hydrate with normal water before your workout, and drink electrolyte water during and after.
Pedialyte. One of the best drinks for the elderly, Pedialyte is an advanced, medical-grade hydration formula. It contains electrolytes, namely potassium, sodium, and chloride to restore the electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration.
The Best Tips for picking an electrolyte
Read your labels (always!) and identify any sources of added sugar. LiquidIV for example contains primarily sugar, and not enough electrolytes to really help your body replenish the electrolytes it needs. Check in with your body!
Oral rehydration solutions — such as Hydralyte — are appropriate for adults and children with mild to moderate dehydration, supplying maintenance requirements by correcting volume and electrolyte deficits and replacing any ongoing abnormal losses.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: dizziness, unusual weakness, swelling of ankles/feet, mental/mood changes (such as irritability, restlessness), seizures.
Electrolytes, like magnesium, help manage the amount of water that your body stores. And when your electrolyte levels are out of balance, you may gain water weight.
Some symptoms of electrolyte imbalance are: Cramps. Dizziness. Irregular heartbeat.
Common symptoms of electrolyte imbalance include irregular heartbeat, confusion, fatigue, lightheadedness, blood pressure changes, muscle weakness or twitching, numbness and seizures. In general, a person with an electrolyte imbalance does not feel very well or want to be involved in much activity.
Watermelon. If the name—and telltale juiciness—of this fruit gives it away. Beyond being loaded with immune-boosting vitamin C and plant compounds, refreshing pink watermelon is often considered to be one of the most hydrating fruits, containing up to 91 percent water.