UNDERSTANDING ELECTROLYTE DRINKS FOR DEHYDRATION

Zachary J. Schlader, PhD, FACSM

Healthy Living, Hydration Science

UNDERSTANDING ELECTROLYTE DRINKS FOR DEHYDRATION
Hydration feels like something we all understand - you drink when you’re thirsty, right? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that and it’s also important to understand dehydration and how that affects you in your day to day life.

Understanding Dehydration

Essentially, most of the human body is water so we have to balance fluid intake i.e drinking water, with our fluid output e.g. urine production and sweating.  Our bodies are incredible at maintaining appropriate levels of body water but there’s still times when it can become inadequate. Hydration occurs when the levels of intake to output are out of balance. There are so many physical benefits of good hydration that are necessary for your health, particularly for optimal energy levels and performance throughout the day.

Knowing the signs of dehydration

It’s easy to assume if you don’t feel thirsty then you don’t need water, but our bodies are capable of showing us more subtle mental and physical signs of dehydration if you know what to look out for.

These include:

  • dry mouth, chapped lips or dry skin
  • feeling faint or dizzy
  • difficulty concentrating,
  • feeling irritable or fatigued.

That’s why it’s best to maintain a habit of keeping your hydration drink of choice to hand and sipping it throughout the day. It may even be time to consider an electrolyte drink to help with hydration levels.

What are the best electrolyte drinks?

Alongside drinking plenty of water, drinks like soda, coffee and tea in moderation also contribute to your hydration levels. Electrolytes serve an extra purpose as it’s water that has extra minerals such as salt, sugar, and potassium added to it. These extras can help hydrate the body faster particularly at times when you sweat more, such as if you’ve been exercising or the weather is warm.

What’s the best electrolyte drink?

The best electrolyte drink for dehydration is a perfect balance of the essential electrolytes, minerals, carbohydrates and water that will replenish what your body loses when you sweat. It’s why we created Pocari to imitate the natural balance of water and electrolytes in the human body. With our citrusy blend of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride, you’ll be hydrated faster and for longer than if you drank water alone.

Should I be drinking electrolyte drinks all the time?

Electrolyte drinks are not meant to replace water altogether but rather they’re a good addition to an active lifestyle. It’s not just for intense gym sessions either, electrolyte drinks like Pocari are ideal for long walks and hikes, sitting in hot weather or even if you’re feeling under the weather. Essentially, any time you’re sweating more than usual, consider reaching for an electrolyte boost!

Overall, effective hydration is good for your body and mind. So whether it’s a big hike or a big meeting, you always want to be performing at your best and staying well hydrated is one of the best ways to do just that.