Electrolytes are naturally present in foods and fluids (such as calcium in milk or sodium in table salt). Brands have also created electrolyte beverages, which are not to be confused with sports drinks.
“Electrolyte powders are products that come in either a single-serve package or a larger multi-serve pouch, ready to be mixed with water,” says Kelly Jones, RD, CSSD, a sports dietitian in the Philadelphia area.
If this sounds like a sports drink, that’s because electrolyte and sports drinks are similar, and there is no official definition of either one. However, electrolyte drinks may contain a higher concentration of certain electrolytes, Tyler says. The exact amounts used vary among brands. For example, Gatorade contains 380 milligrams (mg) of sodium per 30-ounce bottle. Some electrolyte powders (intended to be mixed with water) have as much as 1,000 mg of sodium per serving.
“Generally speaking, these products are best for athletes and people with high activity levels, including those with physically active jobs or who work in the heat,” Jones says. The body loses electrolytes through sweat, so consuming electrolytes through food or beverages will help replenish these minerals.
If you’re not sure if you fit into a group that may benefit, talk to a professional, such as a primary care physician or registered dietitian, before adding in a beverage that has higher amounts of specific nutrients, Jones says.