Electrolytes Are Everywhere. Do You Need Them?

The Trend: Neon sweat. A famous face. Images of dunks, touchdowns, brutal workouts. This used to be how sports drinks were marketed to the public. But with viral crazes like #WaterTok turning hydration into a lifestyle trend, electrolyte-enriched sports drinks and powders have found a much broader audience.

What People Are Saying: Liquid I.V.’s CEO, Mike Keech, told CNN that people all around the world are “chronically dehydrated” and “they just don’t know it.” The more than $10 billion a year that Americans spend on sports drinks suggests the message has found its audience. But not all experts think hydration powders or sports drinks are key to staying hydrated. Tamara Hew-Butler, a sports scientist and retired associate professor told NPR “If you eat a decent diet, you’re going to get all of the electrolytes you need to function.” 

What To Know: If you’re sick or find yourself sweating a lot over an extended period of time, electrolytes can be critical for staying hydrated. But for the rest of us, a balanced diet and plain old water will provide all the minerals and micronutrients we need.