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Are electrolytes really better than water? Not usually

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Electrolytes are essential for your body, but that doesn’t mean most people need electrolyte drinks.

For everyday hydration and shorter workouts, water is usually the best choice. If you’re a competitive athlete or regularly train for performance, your hydration and electrolyte needs may be different. A sports dietitian can help determine what’s best for your training and goals.

Swipe through to learn when electrolyte drinks can help, when they’re unnecessary, and how to naturally replace electrolytes without breaking the bank.

Sources
  1. Electrolytes can give the body a charge, but try not to overdo it | American Heart Association | June 2024
  2. Do I need electrolyte drinks? | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan – School of Public Health 
  3. Hydration: Are Electrolyte Drinks Better Than Water | Extension – University of New Hampshire | September 2023
  4. Sports Drinks: Are Electrolytes Healthy for You? | Cleveland Clinic | August 2023
  5. Dehydration | NHS
  6. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement | Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise | February 2007
  7. Worth Its Salt: When To Reach for an Electrolyte Drink (Or Not) | Orlando Health | September 2025
  8. Sports Drinks | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan – School of Public Health
  9. Energy and sports drinks in children and adolescents | Paediatrics & Child Health | October 2017
  10. Association of sports drinks with weight gain among adolescents and young adults | Obesity a Research Journal | July 2014
  11. Sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents: Are they appropriate? | Augusta University Research Profiles | June 2011
  12. The Beverage Hydration Index: Influence of Electrolytes, Carbohydrate and Protein | Nutrients | August 2021
  13. Hydration Hype—Do You Really Need Electrolyte Drink Mixes? | Texas Health | June 2025
  14. Sodium intake for athletes before, during and after exercise: review and recommendations | Performance Nutrition – Springer Nature Link | October 2025

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