Electrolytes: What a Hydration Product Should Actually Have
Short answer: The electrolytes that matter most for hydration are sodium, potassium, and magnesium, and sodium usually does most of the work. The two things to check on any electrolyte product are whether those three are printed with real doses, and whether the product is mostly sugar with a sprinkle of electrolytes on top.
The three that matter
- Sodium: the main electrolyte lost in sweat, and usually the one that matters most for hydration.
- Potassium: works alongside sodium.
- Magnesium: often included, usually in smaller amounts.
The two traps
- The sugar trap: some "hydration" drinks are mostly sugar with a token amount of electrolytes. Check the sugar line against the electrolyte doses.
- The hidden-dose trap: if the electrolytes are vague or grouped together, you cannot tell how much sodium you are actually getting.
What to look for on the label
- Sodium, potassium, and magnesium, each printed with a milligram amount.
- A sugar amount that fits what you want, whether that is none or a little for taste.
- A sodium dose that matches how much you sweat, not a token pinch.
When you compare two hydration products, read those numbers side by side instead of trusting the front of the tub.
FAQ
Which electrolyte matters most? Sodium, in most cases, since it is the main one lost in sweat.
Do I need electrolytes every day? Mostly if you sweat a lot, train hard, or are in heat. Otherwise food covers much of it.
Is a sugary sports drink the same thing? Often it is mostly sugar. Read the electrolyte doses against the sugar line.
The Valenco take
Our ION+ prints its sodium, potassium, and magnesium doses on the label, so you can see exactly what you are getting, and you can check the numbers on our lab results. Whatever you buy, check those three numbers and the sugar line. valenco.org.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No product mentioned is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.