Do We Really Need the Extra Electrolytes?

@porwest (102212)
United States
June 29, 2025 9:37am CST
For several years now, almost ritualistically, I have had a routine of drinking coffee in the morning, water throughout the day, and beer in the evening. But recently, while having a conversation with my wife's cousin, Larry, he had mentioned taking in more electrolytes since he was drinking enough water, but still wasn't necessarily as hydrated as he should be. So, I gave it some thought and decided to add in a little PowerAde every once in a while to bump up my electrolytes, thinking, maybe the water isn't enough? I have no idea whether or not I actually need them. Do I get enough from other things I eat? I guess it doesn't hurt to sip on a little PowerAde every once in a while, and I don't necessarily have any every day. What are your thoughts about electrolytes?
9 people like this
8 responses
Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (91247)
• Bangalore, India
29 Jun
Unless you are not dehydrated due to sickness or overheat or are exercising hard, the normal water and diet should be good enough to take care of our electrolytes.
2 people like this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
29 Jun
That's what I always thought too. I guess having a few extra can't hurt.
1 person likes this
Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (91247)
• Bangalore, India
30 Jun
@porwest It should not hurt unless you are doing it in excess.
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
@arunima25 I never drink a whole bottle in a day. Just some sips here and there.
1 person likes this
Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (47048)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jun
I hope there’s no crap in this. When I looked at the ingredients for Gator Aide I said no way am I drinking that.
1 person likes this
Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (47048)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jun
@porwest I’d rather just have mineral water.
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
It can't be any worse than anything else we put in our mouths. I can't even pronounce half the ingredients. lol
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
20h
@lovebuglena I can't do mineral water.
DE
@DaddyEvil (152153)
• United States
29 Jun
That depends... The Mayo Clinic advises taking electrolyte supplements if you work in hot environments, are sick with fluid loss or doing intense exercises. Otherwise, you should be getting enough electrolytes in your normal diet and water intake. When I was a bodybuilder, I drank a lot of Gatorade to up my electrolyte balance... But now, I don't worry about it.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (152153)
• United States
1 Jul
@porwest Yeah, I agree... If you start turning the color of the drink you prefer, you might be drinking too much of it.
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
Yeah, I'm on the fence still about whether or not it's needed. I guess it can't hurt to drink a few like I'm doing. Just no need for me to go overboard.
1 person likes this
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (124767)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Jun
I don’t suppose a Powerade or Gatorade here and there isn’t going to hurt anything, but I’m not sure it’s something I would want to be drinking every day. They are loaded with sugar and other not good for us stuff. Basically, I don’t trust any drink that is mass produced by soda conglomerates. Lol
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
That's pretty much how I feel about it. Occasionally they are probably fine. But going overboard is probably a bad idea. Like most things.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (357184)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun
I don't really have any idea if they'd be good or not. I know endurance horses need them. Does that help?
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (357184)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun
@porwest I'll leave it to you to decide if it's a compliment or not!
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
@JudyEv lol. Thanks.
1 person likes this
April
@thislittlepennyearns (64663)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
30 Jun
I have electorlyte poweder I miss with my water. But I outside a lot. And its hot here.
1 person likes this
April
@thislittlepennyearns (64663)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
30 Jun
@porwest Well I am chronically dehydrated because of energy drinks lol
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
20h
@thislittlepennyearns That'll do it.
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
I do know they say to drink something with electrolytes in it if you're sweating a lot. Outside work can certainly cause sweating.
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (86497)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Jun
I know nothing about them but I seem to be doing OK with unsweetened fresh brewed ice tea and iced water and at times I add some lemon juice to one or the other,
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (192981)
• United States
29 Jun
I know when I had 8 days of gastro trouble the doctor recommended Pedialyte. I think if you are healthy, they're not necessary.
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (102212)
• United States
30 Jun
I have also read many people overdo it and get too many electrolytes because they are drinking these things more than water. I guess it is a bit of a double-edged sword. Moderation is probably key, like most things tend to be.
1 person likes this