The best source of electrolytes for the average person is through their diet, but there are many times when an electrolyte drink can be helpful. Learn about the best electrolyte drinks and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Whether you're working out, battling a fever, standing in the sunshine, or any other sweaty activity—you are losing electrolytes. So, it is unsurprising that a wide variety of health brands claim to have the best electrolyte drink to add to your routine.
Although the tried-and-true Gatorade can still be picked up at any grocery, nestled in the wellness aisles next to it are a wealth of other electrolyte-infused beverages, as well as options in the form of electrolyte tablets, droplets, powders, and packets. So, which electrolyte drink form is best? And beyond that, which are the healthiest electrolyte drinks?As a sweaty person (just walking to and from my subway stop makes me break out into a full sweat), I have thought about reaching for an electrolyte drink many times, but I had absolutely no clue where to start picking the best one for me. In order to help, I asked an array of nutritionists, who specialize in everything from sports dietetics to eating disorders, to break it down. Like, first of all: how do electrolytes work? And why would anybody need an electrolyte-infused drink? Meet the Experts: Taylor Brower R.D., a registered performance dietitian in Boulder, CO and Hilary Kave M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a registered nutritionist and specialist in sports dietetics; Hayley Miller, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a registered dietitian and therapist in Los Angeles; Christopher Mohr Ph.D., R.D., Fitness and Nutrition Advisor at Garage Gym Reviews. What do electrolytes do?Electrolytes are more than just a buzzword—they are all about balance, keeping your body at optimum levels of hydration on a cellular level. “Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, they carry an electric charge when dissolved in fluid, hence the name,” Hayley Miller, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a registered dietitian and therapist in Los Angeles tells us. “While best known for hydration, the electric charge transmits messages between your nerves and muscles so you can properly function. Additionally, they aid in the maintenance of your blood pH, which is crucial for ensuring you feel your best. An imbalance can leave you feeling off and put your bodily function out of balance.”To put it in layman’s terms: “Electrolytes are involved in just about every function of the human body to keep it running efficiently,” says nutritionist team Taylor Brower R.D., a registered performance dietician in Boulder, CO and Hilary Kave M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a registered nutritionist and specialist in sports dietetics. “Eventually, if you lose enough fluid and electrolytes in sweat without replacing them, it can throw your body’s balance out of whack and leave you feeling sluggish, crampy, or even a little foggy,” Brower and Kave add. What is the best source of electrolytes?Electrolytes can only be replenished via food and drink, and the quickest way to get them is through an electrolyte drink. “Electrolyte drinks can help quickly improve hydration and balance minerals. This makes them convenient for athletes or those recovering from being sick,” says Dr. Chris Mohr, Fitness and Nutrition Advisor at Garage Gym Reviews. However, some have a lot of added sugars and or unnecessary calories, for the average person who exercises. “Look for drinks with minimal added sugar and a balanced mix of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, unless you’re working out in the intense heat or consistently, for longer than an hour. Electrolyte powders may be good alternative for those avoiding, or limiting, added sugars.” Should I drink beverages enhanced with electrolytes?It depends! As Mohr explains to us, if you have recently lost a significant amount of sweat due to exercise or illness, reaching for an electrolyte drink is a quick and efficient way to replenish them. However, the average (non-sweating) person does not need an electrolyte drink, despite their popularity. That’s due to electrolytes being a part of most people’s existing diets. Electrolytes can be found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and dairy, while processed foods are also regularly fortified with electrolytes (most frequently, sodium!). Is it possible to drink too many electrolytes?“While overdoing it on electrolytes is rare, it’s not impossible,” say Brower and Kave. “The good news? If you have healthy kidneys, they’re excellent at flushing out excess electrolytes and keeping you in the safe zone. While it would take an extreme amount of electrolytes to make you seriously ill, they’re not meant to be consumed recklessly every day. Stick to using electrolyte drinks when you’re sweating hard, going long, or recovering.” How to choose the best electrolyte drinkTake note of the ingredients. When searching for an electrolyte drink, Miller says it’s most important to look for two main ingredients: sodium and sugar. (Yes, sugar!
Electrolyte Drinks Hydration Nutrition Health Tips Exercise Sports Nutrition
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chick-fil-A Brings Back Key Lime Drinks and Spicy Sandwich for Limited TimeChick-fil-A is bringing back two fan-favorite menu items for a limited time starting January 7th. The Key Lime Frosted Lemonade and Key Lime Lemonade are making their return after a five-year hiatus.
Read more »
Revolutionary Electrolyte Additive Boosts Lithium-Sulfur Battery PerformanceA new study from Argonne National Laboratory reveals that a Lewis acid additive can significantly improve the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries by forming a stable interphase layer within the cathode. This breakthrough addresses key challenges such as poor electrolyte wetting and sluggish ion transport, paving the way for higher energy density, longer cycle life, and reduced costs.
Read more »
New Electrolyte Paves the Way for Scalable Sodium-Sulfur BatteriesResearchers at Fujian Normal University in China have developed a novel dual salt-based quasi-solid polymer electrolyte (DS-QSPE) that addresses key limitations of sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries, making them a viable solution for large-scale energy storage.
Read more »
Remembering the Cotton Club soft drink era in modern ‘pop’ products: Classic CLE Eats & DrinksRemember Cotton Club ginger ale and all the other 'pops' from that CLE-based bottling company back in the day? Us too. We remember the soft drink business that disappeared... and market offerings (or combinations) approximate those flavors today.
Read more »
Hydrogel electrolyte helps aqueous batteries hit 220 Wh/kg energy density, 6,000+ cyclesScientists have developed a new hydrogel electrolyte that can significantly enhance the performance of sodium-zinc hybrid ion batteries.
Read more »
US firm achieves lithium battery breakthrough with liquid to solid electrolyteAnthro Energy's Proteus is a new class of injectable phase-change electrolytes that impart advanced features into lithium-ion batteries.
Read more »