Electrolytes: The New Health Craze—What They Are and Are They Really Worth It?

In the ever-evolving world of health and wellness, it seems like there’s always a new “must-have” trend to keep an eye on. Recently, electrolytes have been getting a lot of buzz.

And as someone who is both susceptible to trends, and also always on the lookout to improve my health, I have jumped on the electrolyte bandwagon.

From fitness enthusiasts to casual gym-goers, everyone’s talking about the benefits of electrolytes. But what exactly are electrolytes, and are they really worth all the hype?

In this post, we’ll break down what electrolytes actually do, how they benefit your body, my personal experience with them, and whether you should be jumping on the electrolyte bandwagon too!

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals that your body needs to function. They’re called electrolytes because they carry an electric charge. The minerals include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate. Electrolytes help balance the fluids inside and outside of our cells, regulate muscle contractions, transmit nerve impulses, and control our body’s pH levels.

How can electrolytes help you?

A hydrated girl, is a happy girl, and one of the biggest benefits of electrolytes is how they help with hydration. Electrolytes help our bodies retain the right amount of fluid, which is key for feeling good day-to-day and for keeping up performance during a workout. When we get dehydrated, it’s easy to feel fatigued, cramp up, or even experience heat exhaustion. That’s why it’s so important to replenish electrolytes, both during and after exercise.

For those of us who work out regularly, electrolytes are even more important. When we exercise, we lose electrolytes through sweat, and it’s essential to replenish them to stay properly hydrated and maintain our performance. Without enough electrolytes, we can experience muscle cramps, fatigue, and dehydration, which can really mess with our workout routine and slow down recovery. Nobody wants that.

Electrolytes also play a huge role in muscle function and recovery. Potassium and magnesium, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and preventing cramps. If you’re someone who experiences muscle soreness after a workout, ensuring you have enough of these electrolytes can help you bounce back faster and reduce those post-workout aches.

Beyond hydration and muscle recovery, electrolytes are important for keeping our energy levels up. Sodium and potassium are especially key players in generating energy within our cells. This is crucial for maintaining stamina and endurance during exercise. By keeping our electrolytes balanced, we can fend off that tired, drained feeling and maintain steady energy throughout our workouts.

My hot take:

I have been taking electrolytes daily now for 5 months. Is that overkill? Potentially… but as someone who exercises 5-6 times a week (albeit often low impact), I have noticed a huge difference is my overall performance and recovery time. I also just feel better the more hydrated I am. Even on my rest days I still reach for the electrolytes as it has become such an important part of my routine. I’ve been on a few city breaks with friends recently, the purpose of those trips was basically to eat and drink excessively, but every morning i’d pop an electrolyte and feel a bit smug as it soothed my hangover.

Electrolytes = Worth the hype

How to take / Recommendations:

Just throw a tablet or sachet of electrolytes into a 750ml water bottle in the mornings and you’re sorted. I either drink it as I exercise if that’s what I am doing first thing, or I will have my bottle next to me as I get ready for work.

There are so many options on the market, and having tried a few, these two are my favourites.

HIGH5 ZERO Electrolyte Tablets

These are my daily go-to! 8 flavours to choose from, and so far i’ve not had one I don’t like. If you don’t enjoy strong flavours first thing in the morning, I would recommend the citrus flavour as it is the least strong tasting.

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Passion Fruit Electrolyte Powder Mix

A little pricier, but come in handy sachets so perfect for travel (rather than the HIGH5 in a tube). I keep one on me at all times in case of emergencies. Half as many flavour options as HIGH5 but still delicious flavours.

If you ask me, electrolytes are a health trend here to stay! An excellent addition to your daily routine and an easy way to stay hydrated and elevate your routine. I can’t wait to test all the future options that will be on offer!