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Electrolytes for everyday hydration

Electrolytes are essential for maintaining fluid balance, but does that mean we need to supplement them daily?

What is the viral trend?

Electrolyte powders, tablets and drinks are everywhere these days, promising better hydration, energy, focus and overall wellness. Some products also claim to improve immune function, gut health and skin appearance.1-3 This growing popularity in daily electrolyte supplementation has given rise to a viral trend known as "electrolyte-maxxing."

What is the evidence?

So, does the evidence support daily electrolyte supplementation? Here’s what we know:

  • Everyday hydration: There is limited evidence supporting daily electrolyte supplementation, and for most people, water should remain the first choice.4
  • Exercise-related dehydration: Health Canada recommends drinking water before, during and after physical activity to stay hydrated.4 Carbohydrate–electrolyte (CE) drinks may improve rehydration after exercise-associated dehydration, although the certainty of evidence is low to very low.5
  • Dehydration from illness: Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) have well-established evidence for treating dehydration associated with diarrhea and vomiting.6 Unlike general electrolyte drinks, these products are specifically formulated to have reduced osmolarity and contain evidence-based amounts of glucose and electrolytes.7

What should pharmacists recommend?

If your patients are asking about electrolyte supplements for everyday hydration, start by explaining that water is still the best choice, as evidence supporting additional benefits from routine electrolyte supplementation remains limited.4

It’s also worth taking a closer look at what’s in these products. Many contain additional vitamins, minerals, and herbal ingredients, with formulations varying considerably.1-3 Some of the claimed benefits are related to these added ingredients rather than electrolytes themselves.

Here are a few things to watch for:

  • Potassium: May pose risks in patients with impaired kidney function or taking medications that increase potassium levels. 8,9
  • Magnesium: May cause gastrointestinal effects or interact with certain medications.8,9
  • Sodium: May be a concern for patients with hypertension, heart failure or other conditions requiring sodium restriction, particularly when products contain substantial amounts.10,11

Be sure to consider the full product composition alongside the patient’s specific medical conditions, medications and other supplements they may be taking.

What’s the verdict?

contraception Icon

Mostly viral: Electrolytes have proven benefits in certain situations, such as dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting, but the evidence doesn’t support routine supplementation for everyone.

 

References

  1. Bellame. Hydrate Boost Electrolytes [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 27]. Available from: https://bellame.com/sites/default/files/commerce-product/document/2026/03/MTP%20Hydrate%20Boost%20Electrolytes%20%281%29_0.pdf
  2. Ultima Replenisher. Hydration [Internet]. [cited 2026 Oct 27]. Available from: https://www.ultimareplenisher.com/collections/hydration
  3. Nuun. Hydrating Drink Tablets for Immune Support [Internet]. [cited 2026 Oct 27]. Available from: https://nuunlife.com/products/nuun-immunity/
  4. Health Canada. Physical activity and healthy eating [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Government of Canada; [cited 2026 Oct 26]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-guide/eating-support/physical-activity-lifestyle/healthy-eating.html
  5. Borra V, De Brier N, Berry DC, Zideman D, Singletary E, De Buck E. Oral rehydration beverages for treating exercise-associated dehydration: a systematic review, part I. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions. J Athl Train. 2025;60(1):34-54. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-0682.22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38116803/
  6. Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump JA, et al. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):e45-e80. doi:10.1093/cid/cix669. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5850553/
  7. Health Canada. Oral rehydration solutions [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Government of Canada; [cited 2026 Oct 27]. Available from: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=oral.rehydration.sol&lang=eng
  8. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Potassium salts [CPhA monograph]. In: CPS [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Pharmacists Association; [updated 2015 Jun 1; cited 2026 Oct 27]. Available from: https://cps2.pharmacists.ca/document/monograph/PotassiumSalts. Subscription required.
  9. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Magnesium salts: oral [CPhA monograph]. In: CPS [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Pharmacists Association; [updated 2017 May 23; cited 2026 Oct 27]. Available from: https://cps2.pharmacists.ca/document/monograph/MagnesiumSaltsOralCPhA. Subscription required.
  10. Hypertension Canada. Health behaviour management [Internet]. [cited 2026 Oct 28]. Available from: https://hypertension.ca/guidelines/prevention-treatment/health-behaviour-management
  11. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Heart failure [Internet]. [cited 2026 Oct 28]. Available from: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/en/heart-disease/conditions/heart-failure/