Sports Nutritionists Recommend These Healthy Electrolyte Drinks (2025)

Whether you’re working out, battling a fever, standing in the sunshine, or any other sweaty activity—you are losing electrolytes. So, it is unsurprising that a wide variety of health brands claim to have the best electrolyte drink to add to your routine. Although the tried-and-true Gatorade can still be picked up at any grocery, nestled in the wellness aisles next to it are a wealth of other electrolyte-infused beverages, as well as options in the form of electrolyte tablets, droplets, powders, and packets. So, which electrolyte drink form is best? And beyond that, which are the healthiest electrolyte drinks?

As a sweaty person (just walking to and from my subway stop makes me break out into a full sweat), I have thought about reaching for an electrolyte drink many times, but I had absolutely no clue where to start picking the best one for me. In order to help, I asked an array of nutritionists, who specialize in everything from sports dietetics to eating disorders, to break it down. Like, first of all: how do electrolytes work? And why would anybody need an electrolyte-infused drink?

Meet the Experts: Taylor Brower R.D., a registered performance dietitian in Boulder, CO and Hilary Kave M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a registered nutritionist and specialist in sports dietetics; Hayley Miller, MS, RDN, LD, a senior regulatory specialist at Physician’s Choice; Christopher Mohr Ph.D., R.D., Fitness and Nutrition Advisor atGarage Gym Reviews

What do electrolytes do?

Electrolytes are more than just a buzzword—they are all about balance, keeping your body at optimum levels of hydration on a cellular level. “Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, they carry an electric charge when dissolved in fluid, hence the name,” Hayley Miller, MS, RDN, LD, a senior regulatory specialist at Physician’s Choice tells us. “While best known for hydration, the electric charge transmits messages between your nerves and muscles so you can properly function. Additionally, they aid in the maintenance of your blood pH, which is crucial for ensuring you feel your best. An imbalance can leave you feeling off and put your bodily function out of balance.”

To put it in layman’s terms: “Electrolytes are involved in just about every function of the human body to keep it running efficiently,” says nutritionist team Taylor Brower R.D., a registered performance dietician in Boulder, CO and Hilary Kave M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a registered nutritionist and specialist in sports dietetics. “Eventually, if you lose enough fluid and electrolytes in sweat without replacing them, it can throw your body’s balance out of whack and leave you feeling sluggish, crampy, or even a little foggy,” Brower and Kave add.

What is the best source of electrolytes?

Electrolytes can only be replenished via food and drink, and the quickest way to get them is through an electrolyte drink. “Electrolyte drinks can help quickly improve hydration and balance minerals. This makes them convenient for athletes or those recovering from being sick,” says Dr. Chris Mohr, Fitness and Nutrition Advisor at Garage Gym Reviews. However, some have a lot of added sugars and or unnecessary calories, for the average person who exercises. “Look for drinks with minimal added sugar and a balanced mix of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, unless you’re working out in the intense heat or consistently, for longer than an hour. Electrolyte powders may be good alternative for those avoiding, or limiting, added sugars.”

Should I drink beverages enhanced with electrolytes?

It depends! As Mohr explains to us, if you have recently lost a significant amount of sweat due to exercise or illness, reaching for an electrolyte drink is a quick and efficient way to replenish them. However, the average (non-sweating) person does not need an electrolyte drink, despite their popularity. That’s due to electrolytes being a part of most people’s existing diets. Electrolytes can be found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and dairy, while processed foods are also regularly fortified with electrolytes (most frequently, sodium!).

Is it possible to drink too many electrolytes?

“While overdoing it on electrolytes is rare, it’s not impossible,” say Brower and Kave. “The good news? If you have healthy kidneys, they’re excellent at flushing out excess electrolytes and keeping you in the safe zone. While it would take an extreme amount of electrolytes to make you seriously ill, they’re not meant to be consumed recklessly every day. Stick to using electrolyte drinks when you’re sweating hard, going long, or recovering.”

How to choose the best electrolyte drink

Take note of the ingredients. When searching for an electrolyte drink, Miller says it’s most important to look for two main ingredients: sodium and sugar. (Yes, sugar!). While sodium is the main element lost in sweat, adding sugar into the mix “helps your body to absorb fluids more quickly, helping to expedite the rehydration process,” she explains. Just make sure your electrolyte drink isn’t too stuffed with additives and excess sugars, as those can dehydrate you again. Natural sugars from coconut water, fruit juices, and even milk might be better choices for those who are sugar conscious.

Think about portability. Are you looking for a post-workout refuel? Something to take with you on a hike? Or any other time on-the-go? You might want to opt for something that doesn’t need to be refrigerated, heated, or that has additional bulk. Powders, tablets, and droplets are ideal for a quick boost in a pinch. If you are hydrating at home, stocking up on waters, juices, or milk might be a better electrolyte drink option.

Consider your own health. Mohr warns that “consuming excessive electrolytes, especially sodium or potassium, can lead to hypernatremia or hyperkalemia, which may cause heart arrhythmias or kidney strain,” so those with kidney issues or hypertension should be more cautious about which electrolyte drink they reach for. Over-supplementation is more common in people taking electrolyte tablets or drinking high-electrolyte beverages without actual need.

Not sure where to start? We asked our experts for their recommendations, as well as Prevention editors and reviewers to help figure out which electrolyte drinks are worth adding to your pantry or fridge. Keep reading to see which one could be right for you.

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.

We interviewed Taylor Brower R.D., a registered performance dietitian in Boulder, CO, Hilary Kave M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a registered nutritionist and specialist in sports dietetics, Christopher Mohr Ph.D., R.D., Fitness and Nutrition Advisor at Garage Gym Reviews, and Hayley Miller, MS, RDN, LD, a senior regulatory specialist at Physician’s Choice to see which elements they recommended in the best electrolyte drinks. We also considered our own editors’ experiences, as well as pored through hundred reviews.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.