Electrolyte Drinks Are Everywhere — But Can They Do More Harm Than Good?

Health experts share when you might need them, and how much to consume when you do.

Nearly 60 years ago, a physician working for the Florida Gators football team created a drink to help prevent heatstroke in players. Mixing water, salt, sugar and a splash of lemon juice, Dr. Robert Cade dubbed the potion “Gatorade,” in honor of the team. His simple recipe formed the cornerstone of the entire sports drink industry, one that was valued at $22.71 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $32.89 billion by 2030.

These days, electrolyte-boosting drinks are just as likely to be sipped during morning commutes as they are in athletic training sessions. Now available in cans, bottles and to-go packets of mixable powders, electrolytes seem to be the new darling of folks who are always looking for the shiniest health halos.

But are electrolytes really necessary? When might you need them, and how much of them should you consume? Can they do more harm than good for some people? We talked to nutrition experts to get the whole story.

Why are they called electrolytes?

Electrolytes is the name given to a group of minerals that includes sodium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphate and bicarbonate, said Sara K. Rosenkranz, an associate professor in the department of kinesiology and nutrition sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. They earned that “electro” prefix because they carry either a positive or negative electric charge when dissolved in water or body fluids.