Do We Really Need the Extra Electrolytes?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (106671)
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?
11 people like this
10 responses
@arunima25 (92172)
• 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
@porwest (106671)
• United States
30 Jun
@arunima25 I never drink a whole bottle in a day. Just some sips here and there.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92172)
• Bangalore, India
30 Jun
@porwest It should not hurt unless you are doing it in excess.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (125450)
• 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
@moffittjc (125450)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jul
@porwest This may sound disgusting, but when I need an increase in salts and electrolytes, I usually will drink pickle juice. Not chug like a whole drink's worth, but take a few sips from the pickle jar.
If I ever do buy recovery drinks, it's justly Body Armor. I just like their flavors more than what Gatorade and Powerade offer.
1 person likes this
@porwest (106671)
• United States
7 Jul
@moffittjc I'm not sure pickle juice would stay down long enough to do anything for me. lol
1 person likes this
@porwest (106671)
• United States
8 Jul
I am on a salt restricted diet as well, although I have become a bit laxed with it considering every time I have my blood pressure checked, it's fine, so I figure the medication is doing its job. I have just started drinking some PowerAde, but I might drink 1 over a 2 or 3-day period, just taking a few sips here and there.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (158351)
• 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
@DaddyEvil (158351)
• 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. 
1 person likes this
@porwest (106671)
• United States
2 Jul
@DaddyEvil That's a good way of looking at it. lol
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (47488)
• 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
@lovebuglena (47488)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jun
@porwest I’d rather just have mineral water.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (65849)
• 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
@thislittlepennyearns (65849)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
30 Jun
@porwest Well I am chronically dehydrated because of energy drinks lol
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (88495)
• 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,
@LindaOHio (199423)
• 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
@ogbenishyna44 (795)
•
1 Aug
You just have to pay attention to your body and see if you really need electrolytes
1 person likes this
