Get The Facts on Sports Drinks and Hydration
Posted
Updated September 25, 2025
Posted
Updated September 25, 2025
The terms "sports drinks" and "electrolyte drinks" are often used interchangeably, but there can be some differences in their composition and intended use.
Sports drinks are beverages specifically formulated to replenish fluids, electrolytes, and carbohydrates during or after intense physical activity or prolonged exercise. They are designed to provide hydration, energy, and electrolyte replacement to support athletic performance. Sports drinks typically contain a mix of water, electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium), carbohydrates (usually in the form of sugars), and sometimes vitamins.
The key thing to note is that there most often is sugars in these drinks, which counteracts them being necessarily “healthy.”
This is why many sports drinks are not often recommended by nutritionists, due to added sugar and added calories. Excessive consumption can have negative health effects, especially for individuals who are not engaging in intense physical activity.
Electrolytes, on the other hand, refer to beverages that primarily focus on replenishing electrolytes and maintaining fluid balance. They may or may not contain significant amounts of carbohydrates.
Electrolyte drinks can be used in various situations, including rehydration after physical activity, management of dehydration due to illness (such as diarrhea or vomiting), or simply to maintain electrolyte balance in everyday life.
Electrolyte drinks typically contain a blend of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and sometimes calcium. They may also include flavours or additional ingredients for taste.
It's worth noting that the specific composition and effectiveness of sports drinks and electrolyte drinks can vary among brands and products. It's important to read the labels and choose products that align with your specific needs, whether it's supporting athletic performance or replenishing electrolytes in other contexts.
Just because a product has one or two ingredients in it which are important after a workout, we must look at the whole product. Look at the amount of sugar and food colouring in sports drinks.
Bottom line: Avoid sports drinks because what you really need to replenish are electrolytes – so opt for those!
Discussing your needs with a nutritionist is a great start if you are unsure.
The need for electrolytes for fitness or athletics depends on many factors. However, anyone exercising and sweating even just a little bit needs electrolytes. Most people are already deficient in electrolytes and use only water to hydrate. Organika’s Electrolytes are safe enough for daily hydration no matter the activity level... and they contain 0 g sugar.
All electrolytes are equally important for maintaining proper electrolyte balance. The primary electrolytes lost through sweat are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Each of these minerals plays a unique role in the body, such as regulating nerve and muscle function, maintaining fluid balance, and supporting energy production. The actual individual electrolytes may depend on the individual’s needs. For example, a long-distance runner or someone participating in hot yoga will need a higher amount of sodium as we lose more sodium by sweating than other electrolytes.
The need for Electrolytes Extra Strength depends on the individual needs, activity level, and if they are in a hot or humid environment.
Electrolytes Extra Strength would be suitable for those who are going on a hike on a summer day, a long-distance runner, or someone taking a hot yoga class.
Every day Electrolytes, are for most people. They are a balanced blend of Electrolytes. These can be great for individuals who are looking to replenish electrolytes and stay hydrated. These may be suitable for those exercising, coming back from an illness or just looking to stay well hydrated.
Learn more: The Science of Electrolytes
This article has been reviewed and approved by Registered Holistic Nutritionists Stephanie Lannon and Joleen Gruber
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Cet été, le Canada a connu une vague de chaleur record, exposant tout le monde au risque de déshydratation. Cet état se produit lorsque votre corps n'a pas accès à suffisamment de liquides pour pouvoir fonctionner correctement. Bien que les gens puissent être déshydratés en raison de la prise de médicaments ou de la diarrhée, la chaleur extrême est également responsable du fait que les gens excrètent plus de sueur qu'ils ne le feraient normalement. Notre corps étant principalement constitué d'eau, la déshydratation peut entraîner les effets alarmants suivants. Les effets de la déshydratation Votre corps a besoin d'eau pour assurer ses fonctions de base. Une baisse extrême de votre taux d'hydratation vous rendra donc très faible. Pire encore, votre corps peut envoyer un SOS et présenter l'un des symptômes suivants : 1. Soif extrême Vous ressentez une sécheresse et une gêne autour de votre bouche ? C'est la façon dont votre corps signale qu'il a besoin de plus d'eau ! Vous devez absolument céder à cette sensation avant que les symptômes ne s'aggravent. 2. Vertiges ou maux de tête Selon la CNB, votre corps va essayer de faire face à la chaleur supplémentaire en essayant de se refroidir. Malheureusement, ce processus peut provoquer des étourdissements et des maux de tête, surtout si vous ne parvenez pas à équilibrer les choses avec le temps. Vous pouvez même avoir l'air pâle et vous sentir moite car votre corps lutte contre son état de déshydratation. 3. Peau sèche et squameuse La peau contient 64 % d'eau, donc si vous supprimez l'un de ses principaux composants, alors Herald Mail Media souligne que la peau sèche est l'une des victimes de la déshydratation. En outre, vous risquez de souffrir de problèmes et de troubles cutanés, comme la sécheresse et l'eczéma, lorsque votre corps déshydraté ne peut pas éliminer correctement les toxines. 4. Urine irrégulière Votre urine peut également montrer des signes de déshydratation ! Vous aurez certainement des difficultés à excréter les toxines de votre corps si vous êtes déshydraté. Cependant, une urine jaune foncé est également un signal indiquant que vous avez un faible niveau d'hydratation. 5. Fièvre Lorsque les choses se gâtent, votre corps augmente sa température et produit de la fièvre. Il est difficile de maintenir une température corporelle régulière si vous êtes aux prises avec des conditions météorologiques extrêmes et un faible niveau d'hydratation. Malheureusement, à mesure que votre fièvre augmente, votre corps se déshydrate encore plus. Comment lutter contre la déshydratation Protégez vos proches et vous-même des effets alarmants de la déshydratation en prenant correctement soin de votre corps. À titre préventif, il est important de boire au moins sept à huit verres d'eau par jour. En outre, vous pouvez éviter de réduire votre taux d'hydratation en restant à l'intérieur lorsque le temps est extrêmement chaud. Si vous prenez des médicaments qui vous font sentir déshydraté, envisagez de discuter d'autres options avec votre médecin. La déshydratation peut cependant survenir de manière inattendue chez tout le monde, il est donc important d'apprendre comment en inverser les effets. Nourrissez votre corps de l'extérieur en hydratant correctement votre peau. Vous pouvez également appliquer légèrement de la glace recouverte d'un tissu sur tout votre corps, afin de vous rafraîchir et de vous aider à réguler votre température. Plus important encore, vous devez reconstituer ce que vous avez perdu à l'intérieur de votre corps. Si vous êtes extrêmement déshydraté, vous devez consommer beaucoup d'eau avant de pouvoir revenir à la normale. En rétablissant vos niveaux d'électrolytes, vous pouvez équilibrer les fluides dans votre corps afin qu'il puisse à nouveau fonctionner correctement. Pour améliorer vos niveaux d'électrolytes, vous pouvez boire de l'eau de coco, manger des bananes ou prendre des suppléments d'électrolytes. La déshydratation peut avoir des effets néfastes sur votre organisme. Protégez-vous des vagues de chaleur et des autres causes de déshydratation en maintenant régulièrement les niveaux d'eau de votre corps. Acheter Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™
read moreCheck the list to ensure you're well hydrated every day. Facts are facts, your body needs electrolytes to be properly hydrated. It’s the balance of fluid inside and outside your cells that defines if you are hydrated enough. This fluid balance is thanks to trace minerals that conduct electrical charges... minerals called electrolytes. What do you need to know about electrolytes? Electrolytes are important for overall health and well-being, and you need them daily. Drinking fluids that contain electrolytes can help replenish lost fluids and prevent dehydration, helping improve many functions in your body including things like: Nerve signalling Muscle contraction Digestion and metabolism Skin health Eliminating wastes And more Some electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium, play a role in promoting healthy skin. For example, potassium may help regulate blood flow and oxygenation to the skin, while magnesium may help support collagen synthesis and prevent skin aging. How do you know if you are lacking electrolytes? There are several signs that you may not have enough electrolytes in your body, but here are some telltale signs you should look out for: Muscle cramps: since electrolytes help regulate muscle function, an imbalance can cause muscle cramps or spasms. Fatigue: electrolytes are involved in energy production and can help combat fatigue, therefore a lack of them can lead to decreased energy levels. Headaches: electrolyte imbalances can cause headaches or migraines, especially if dehydration is a factor. Nausea and vomiting: sometime an imbalance of electrolytes can lead to digestive issues, including nausea and vomiting; sometimes a side effect of headaches as well. Dizziness: Electrolytes help regulate blood pressure, and an imbalance can lead to lightheadedness. Weakness: Electrolytes are important for muscle strength, and when low in these key minerals, you can feel some weakness or decreased physical performance (ask any athlete). Urine colour is clear: if your urine is completely clear, like water... it means that you probably don't have the balance of minerals your body is striving for. Your urine should be slightly yellow, like champagne or lemonade. Irregular heartbeat: Electrolyte imbalances can affect heart function and cause irregular heartbeats or palpitations... in this case it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Replenishing your electrolytes by adding them into your water is an easy way to improve your hydration daily. TIP: Add electrolytes to your water and drink it down before you start your day, see the difference it makes! SHOP OUR ELECTROLYTES
read moreFind out more about the minerals that your body needs on a daily basis. You need electrolytes daily. But what are they? Electrolytes are minerals (like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium) that conduct an electrical charge when mixed with water. These electrolytes are essential to the body, and because they conduct an electrical charge are also referred to as salts. Yes, your body needs salt for several reasons. Role of electrolytes in your body The basic function of electrolytes is to regulate the flow of fluid and salts inside and outside of your cells. This is key to ensure you are well hydrated. Water alone doesn’t contain nutrients, so you may be deficient in helping your body send key signals and impulses if you're not providing your body with key essential minerals. Electrolytes: help regulate a variety of your body’s most essential functions, including sending signals throughout your body’s nervous system help maintain a balanced pH and temperature so that your cells and organs are functioning optimally support the digestive system through opening and closing of channels that need an ionic balance help your muscles contract and avoid cramping during activity control the constant impulses in your body to keep your heart beating, lungs breathing and brain functioning optimally supports your immunity and return to health after being ill You cannot have hydration without electrolytes Hydration = Water + Electrolytes When you sweat, urinate, or experience diarrhea, you lose electrolytes along with fluid, which can lead to dehydration and other health problems. Therefore, you're losing electrolytes daily and should replace them daily. While water is essential for staying hydrated, it does not contain significant amounts of electrolytes. Therefore, if you engage in intense physical activity or live in a hot and humid climate, simply drinking water may not be enough to replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweat. Without a balance of electrolytes and water, you can find yourself dehydrated. How to choose the right electrolytes... Electrolyte-rich beverages, such as sports drinks or coconut water, can provide the necessary minerals to help restore your electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration. However, it's important to be mindful of the added sugars and calories in some sports drinks and to choose lower-sugar options. Or you can make your own electrolyte drink using natural ingredients like fruit juice, honey, and salt. Organika's Electrolytes powder provide the essential minerals you need to replenish your body daily, without caffeine and without any sugar. What's even better is that this formula is gentle for everyday use. Want more from your electrolytes? Electrolytes Defence - Essential electrolytes coupled with immune boosting ingredients: zinc, elderberry and echinacea Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen - Essential electrolytes coupled with Canada’s #1 Collagen Powder† for stronger joints, healthier hair, skin, and nails In summary, while water is essential for hydration, electrolytes are important for maintaining fluid balance and supporting various bodily functions.
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