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Electrolyte Powders
Electrolyte powders are one of the most aggressively marketed supplement categories of the last five years - and one where the gap between marketing claims and actual evidence is widest.
- Evidence
- Likely Effective
- Category
- Energy & Performance
- Best form
- Sodium chloride
- Effective dose
- Sodium is the dominant variable. Endurance athletes losing 1L+ of sweat/hr typically need 300-700mg sodium per liter of fluid replaced. WHO oral rehydration solution (the gold standard for acute fluid loss) is ~75 mmol/L sodium (~1,725mg/L). Most adults eating a normal Western diet do NOT need a daily electrolyte supplement.
- Lab tested
- 3 of 13 products
- Category
- Energy & Performance
- Best form
- Sodium chloride
- Effective dose
- Sodium is the dominant variable. Endurance athletes losing 1L+ of sweat/hr typically need 300-700mg sodium per liter of fluid replaced. WHO oral rehydration solution (the gold standard for acute fluid loss) is ~75 mmol/L sodium (~1,725mg/L). Most adults eating a normal Western diet do NOT need a daily electrolyte supplement.
- Lab tested
- 3 of 13 products
Key takeaways
- →Narrow use case - endurance over 60-90 min, keto adaptation, or acute illness; healthy sedentary adults already exceed sodium needs from food.
- →Match formula to need: 300-1,000mg sodium per 16-32oz bottle for endurance; reduced-osmolarity ORS for illness; 1-3g/day during keto adaptation.
- →Skratch Labs Sport ($1.10/serving, NSF Certified for Sport) is the top pick; DripDrop ORS ($0.97/serving) is best for illness.
- →LMNT is not third-party certified, and one 1,000mg stick is ~43% of the AHA sodium ceiling - skip with hypertension, CHF, or kidney disease.
What Is Electrolyte Powders?
Electrolyte powders are one of the most aggressively marketed supplement categories of the last five years - and one where the gap between marketing claims and actual evidence is widest. The honest answer to "do I need this?" depends entirely on the use case.
For prolonged endurance exercise (greater than 60-90 minutes, especially in heat), sodium replacement during activity is well-established. The American College of Sports Medicine position stand on exercise and fluid replacement supports including sodium in fluids consumed during prolonged exercise to replace sweat losses, prevent hyponatremia in heavy drinkers, and stimulate thirst. Sweat sodium losses vary widely - from about 200mg/L in adapted athletes to over 2,000mg/L in salty sweaters - which is why blanket dosing recommendations are imprecise.
For acute oral rehydration during diarrheal illness, the evidence is overwhelming. WHO/UNICEF oral rehydration salts have saved millions of lives through a precise glucose-sodium ratio that exploits sodium-glucose cotransport in the small intestine to drive water absorption. This is the strongest evidence in the entire category - and ironically, most "premium" hydration brands are reformulated for the worried well, not for actual rehydration.
For everyday hydration, "morning energy," or generic wellness, the evidence is essentially absent. Healthy adults eating a typical Western diet consume 3,000-4,000mg of sodium per day from food alone - well above need. The popular claim that "everyone is electrolyte deficient" is not supported by population sodium intake data. Adding 1,000mg of sodium from an LMNT stick to an already-high-sodium diet does not have demonstrated benefits for energy, focus, or hydration in non-exercising adults.
For ketogenic dieters, low-carb diets cause measurable shifts in fluid and sodium balance because lower insulin levels reduce renal sodium retention. Symptoms loosely called "keto flu" plausibly improve with extra sodium, though the evidence is mostly observational and based on physiologic mechanism rather than randomized trials.
For hangover recovery, the popular claim that electrolytes prevent or treat hangovers is not well supported. Alcohol does cause some fluid loss, but small clinical trials of electrolyte beverages for hangover symptoms have found minimal benefit. The strongest predictor of hangover severity is the amount of alcohol consumed, not hydration status the next morning.
The third major issue: third-party testing varies wildly across this category. LMNT, despite premium pricing, is NOT third-party certified. Liquid IV (owned by Unilever) is also not certified. NSF Certified for Sport options for tested athletes are limited - Skratch Labs and certain Gnarly Nutrition flavors are among the few.
Does It Work? The Evidence
Sodium and fluid replacement during prolonged endurance exercise
SupportedSawka et al. ACSM Position Stand 2007 (Med Sci Sports Exerc): supports sodium-containing fluids for exercise greater than 1hr, especially in heat; Cermak & van Loon 2013 meta-analysis on carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and endurance performance
Oral rehydration during acute diarrheal illness
SupportedHahn et al. Cochrane Review 2002 (n=1,811): reduced osmolarity ORS reduced need for IV therapy and stool output vs standard ORS; WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement 2004 establishing reduced-osmolarity ORS as global standard
Prevention of exercise-associated hyponatremia in heavy drinkers
SupportedHew-Butler et al. Clin J Sport Med 2015 - 3rd International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus: sodium intake during prolonged exercise reduces dilutional hyponatremia risk in athletes who drink large fluid volumes
Mitigation of low-carb / keto adaptation symptoms ('keto flu')
Early SignalLargely mechanistic - low insulin reduces renal sodium retention (DeFronzo Diabetologia 1981); clinical trials specific to keto-flu symptom relief from electrolyte supplementation are scarce; recommendation is plausible but not RCT-verified
Hangover prevention or treatment
Not There YetVerster et al. Hum Psychopharmacol 2010 reviews indicate alcohol's diuretic effect is real but rehydration alone has minimal effect on hangover symptoms; no high-quality RCT shows electrolyte mixes prevent hangovers beyond placebo
Daily hydration or 'morning energy' in healthy adults
IneffectiveNo RCTs support routine electrolyte supplementation for energy, cognition, or hydration in non-exercising adults eating a typical diet. Average US sodium intake (3,400mg/day per CDC NHANES) already exceeds Adequate Intake (1,500mg)
Muscle cramp prevention
ConflictedSchwellnus et al. Br J Sports Med 2008 and follow-up reviews find limited evidence that dehydration or electrolyte loss is the primary cause of exercise-associated muscle cramps; neuromuscular fatigue may be a larger driver
| Claimed Benefit | Key Studies | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium and fluid replacement during prolonged endurance exercise | Sawka et al. ACSM Position Stand 2007 (Med Sci Sports Exerc): supports sodium-containing fluids for exercise greater than 1hr, especially in heat; Cermak & van Loon 2013 meta-analysis on carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions and endurance performance | Supported |
| Oral rehydration during acute diarrheal illness | Hahn et al. Cochrane Review 2002 (n=1,811): reduced osmolarity ORS reduced need for IV therapy and stool output vs standard ORS; WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement 2004 establishing reduced-osmolarity ORS as global standard | Supported |
| Prevention of exercise-associated hyponatremia in heavy drinkers | Hew-Butler et al. Clin J Sport Med 2015 - 3rd International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus: sodium intake during prolonged exercise reduces dilutional hyponatremia risk in athletes who drink large fluid volumes | Supported |
| Mitigation of low-carb / keto adaptation symptoms ('keto flu') | Largely mechanistic - low insulin reduces renal sodium retention (DeFronzo Diabetologia 1981); clinical trials specific to keto-flu symptom relief from electrolyte supplementation are scarce; recommendation is plausible but not RCT-verified | Early Signal |
| Hangover prevention or treatment | Verster et al. Hum Psychopharmacol 2010 reviews indicate alcohol's diuretic effect is real but rehydration alone has minimal effect on hangover symptoms; no high-quality RCT shows electrolyte mixes prevent hangovers beyond placebo | Not There Yet |
| Daily hydration or 'morning energy' in healthy adults | No RCTs support routine electrolyte supplementation for energy, cognition, or hydration in non-exercising adults eating a typical diet. Average US sodium intake (3,400mg/day per CDC NHANES) already exceeds Adequate Intake (1,500mg) | Ineffective |
| Muscle cramp prevention | Schwellnus et al. Br J Sports Med 2008 and follow-up reviews find limited evidence that dehydration or electrolyte loss is the primary cause of exercise-associated muscle cramps; neuromuscular fatigue may be a larger driver | Conflicted |
How to Choose: Forms, Doses & What Matters
Clinical dose: Sodium is the dominant variable. Endurance athletes losing 1L+ of sweat/hr typically need 300-700mg sodium per liter of fluid replaced. WHO oral rehydration solution (the gold standard for acute fluid loss) is ~75 mmol/L sodium (~1,725mg/L). Most adults eating a normal Western diet do NOT need a daily electrolyte supplement.
Best forms: Sodium chloride, Sodium citrate, Potassium chloride, Potassium citrate, Magnesium malate or citrate
For exercise: mix one serving in 16-32 oz of water and sip throughout activity, not all at once. Start hydrating 1-2 hours before and continue replacing fluid losses during. Match sodium dose to expected sweat losses - heavier sweaters and longer events need more. For acute illness: use a true reduced-osmolarity ORS (DripDrop, Pedialyte) per the package directions, sip slowly, and seek medical care if vomiting prevents oral intake or symptoms persist greater than 24 hours in adults or 12 hours in children. For keto adaptation: 1-3g of sodium per day from supplements during the first 2-4 weeks may help - then reassess. For everyday use: most healthy adults do not need this category at all. Drink water, salt your food to taste, and eat fruits and vegetables for potassium.
Who Should Take Electrolyte Powders?
Endurance athletes training or competing for more than 60-90 minutes, especially in heat. People recovering from acute illness with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever (a true ORS like DripDrop or Pedialyte is appropriate here, not a low-sodium 'wellness' powder). Adults on strict ketogenic or very low-carb diets who experience symptoms during the adaptation phase. Manual labor workers and outdoor athletes with heavy daily sweat losses. Patients with conditions like POTS or adrenal insufficiency who have been told by their physician to increase sodium intake. People living or training at altitude.
Who Should Avoid It?
Healthy sedentary adults already eating a normal Western diet do not need supplemental electrolytes for daily hydration - average US sodium intake already exceeds the Adequate Intake of 1,500mg/day. Anyone with hypertension, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or who has been advised to limit sodium - high-sodium products like LMNT (1,000mg per stick) can deliver close to a full day of the AHA-recommended sodium ceiling in a single drink. Pregnant women should consult their physician before using high-sodium electrolyte products, especially if they have preeclampsia risk factors. People taking lithium - sodium intake changes can alter lithium clearance and toxicity risk. Anyone on potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs should be cautious with high-potassium electrolyte products.
Side Effects & Safety
Excess sodium intake is the main concern. The American Heart Association recommends an upper limit of 2,300mg sodium per day (ideally 1,500mg). A single LMNT stick provides 1,000mg - 43% of the AHA ceiling - on top of a typical food intake of 3,000-4,000mg. Long-term high sodium intake is linked to elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in salt-sensitive individuals. High-sugar electrolyte drinks (Liquid IV, Gatorade Endurance) add 11-15g of added sugar per serving, contributing to overall sugar load. Some products use sucralose or stevia, which can cause GI distress in sensitive individuals. Rapid consumption of concentrated electrolyte solutions on an empty stomach can cause nausea. Excessive intake of magnesium can cause loose stools. Drinking high-sodium beverages without proportionate water intake can transiently increase thirst rather than reduce it.
Product Scores
13 products scored on dosing accuracy, third-party testing, cost per effective dose, and label transparency.
The Scorecard: 13 Products Compared
Sport Hydration Drink Mix - Variety Pack
Skratch Labs
One of the few NSF Certified for Sport hydration mixes - the right choice for NCAA, military, and Olympic athletes subject to drug testing. Real-fruit ingredient list
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Hydrate Electrolyte Powder - Orange Pineapple
Gnarly Nutrition
NSF Certified for Sport on this specific flavor; other Gnarly Hydrate flavors carry NSF Contents Certified (purity testing only, not banned-substance testing). Verify the certification level matches your need
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
ORS Hydration Powder - Bold Variety Pack
DripDrop
True ORS-style formulation - sodium-glucose ratio is close to WHO standard. The most clinically appropriate choice for fluid loss from diarrhea, vomiting, or fever in adults
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
AdvancedCare Plus Electrolyte Powder - Variety Pack
Pedialyte
The default pediatric rehydration product in US clinical practice; appropriate for adults too. Marketing of the 'PreActiv prebiotics' upgrade is not as well evidence-supported as the core ORS formulation
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Endurance Fuel - Berry
Tailwind Nutrition
Built for cyclists and ultra-distance athletes - 25g carbs per serving is the actual fuel for events greater than 90 minutes, with electrolytes as a bonus. Wrong product for casual daily use
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Recharge Electrolyte Drink Mix - Citrus Salt
LMNT
1,000mg sodium per serving - by far the highest in the category. Zero sugar, stevia-sweetened. Marketing implies daily use, but a single stick delivers 43% of the AHA-recommended daily sodium ceiling. Best for endurance athletes and strict keto, NOT a daily wellness product
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Sport Hydration Tablets - Mixed Flavors 4-Pack
Nuun
Effervescent tablet format is convenient for travel; 300mg sodium is on the low end for endurance work but reasonable for shorter training sessions
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Endurance Formula Powder - Lemon Lime
Gatorade
Endurance Formula contains nearly 2x the sodium of regular Gatorade. Cheap, widely available, and backed by decades of Gatorade Sports Science Institute research; uses artificial colors
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Hydration Multiplier - Lemon Lime
Liquid I.V.
11g added sugar per stick is the SGLT1 cotransport mechanism at work - the same principle as WHO ORS. Useful for actual rehydration; unnecessary for healthy adults sipping it daily as a 'wellness' habit
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Hydrate Rapid Hydration Mix - Variety Pack
Hydrant
Reasonable middle-of-the-road formulation; the 'rapid hydration' marketing is not a clinically defined term and should be ignored when evaluating
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Plant-Based Electrolyte Drink Mix - Berry Pomegranate
Cure Hydration
Coconut-water-derived potassium is a marketing differentiator but not nutritionally superior to potassium chloride. Clean label appeal at a premium price
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Flash IV Electrolyte Packets - Tropical Punch
BODYARMOR
730mg potassium per stick is unusually high - users on ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics should be cautious. 'IV-level hydration' marketing is misleading
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Balanced Electrolyte Powder - Grape
Ultima Replenisher
55mg sodium is roughly 1/20th of an LMNT stick - a contrarian 'low-sodium' play that does not provide clinically meaningful sodium replacement. Reasonable only for users who specifically want low sodium
Prices checked 2026-04-16. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Full Comparison
| Category | Sport Hydration Drink Mix - Variety Pack Skratch Labs | Hydrate Electrolyte Powder - Orange Pineapple Gnarly Nutrition | ORS Hydration Powder - Bold Variety Pack DripDrop | AdvancedCare Plus Electrolyte Powder - Variety Pack Pedialyte | Endurance Fuel - Berry Tailwind Nutrition | Recharge Electrolyte Drink Mix - Citrus Salt LMNT | Sport Hydration Tablets - Mixed Flavors 4-Pack Nuun | Endurance Formula Powder - Lemon Lime Gatorade | Hydration Multiplier - Lemon Lime Liquid I.V. | Hydrate Rapid Hydration Mix - Variety Pack Hydrant | Plant-Based Electrolyte Drink Mix - Berry Pomegranate Cure Hydration | Flash IV Electrolyte Packets - Tropical Punch BODYARMOR | Balanced Electrolyte Powder - Grape Ultima Replenisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 78/100Winner | 76/100 | 75/100 | 72/100 | 71/100 | 68/100 | 65/100 | 63/100 | 60/100 | 58/100 | 55/100 | 54/100 | 50/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 19/25 | 18/25 | 22/25 | 20/25 | 20/25 | 23/25Winner | 16/25 | 18/25 | 18/25 | 14/25 | 10/25 | 14/25 | 8/25 |
| Purity | 23/25Winner | 23/25 | 13/25 | 16/25 | 13/25 | 10/25 | 14/25 | 13/25 | 10/25 | 10/25 | 13/25 | 10/25 | 12/25 |
| Value | 14/25 | 13/25 | 18/25Winner | 17/25 | 18/25 | 12/25 | 18/25 | 18/25 | 18/25 | 16/25 | 14/25 | 16/25 | 18/25 |
| Transparency | 22/25 | 22/25 | 22/25 | 19/25 | 20/25 | 23/25Winner | 17/25 | 14/25 | 14/25 | 18/25 | 18/25 | 14/25 | 12/25 |
| Cost/Day | $1.10 | $1.20 | $0.97 | $0.85 | $0.85 | $1.50 | $0.65 | $0.50Winner | $0.94 | $0.83 | $1.43 | $1.07 | $0.50 |
| Dose/Serving | 380mg sodium | 320mg sodium | 330mg sodium | 490mg sodium | 310mg sodium | 1000mg sodium | 300mg sodium | 300mg sodium | 500mg sodium | 260mg sodium | 240mg sodium | 260mg sodium | 55mg sodium |
| Form | Stick pack powder | Powder (tub) | Stick pack powder | Powder packet | Powder (bag) | Stick pack powder | Effervescent tablet | Powder (canister) | Stick pack powder | Stick pack powder | Stick pack powder | Stick pack powder | Stick pack powder |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | No | No | No | No | ✓ Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need an electrolyte drink every day?
Almost certainly not. The average American already consumes 3,000-4,000mg of sodium per day from food - well above the 1,500mg Adequate Intake. Adding a 1,000mg LMNT stick to that is not 'optimizing hydration,' it is doubling down on a nutrient most people already over-consume. The legitimate use cases for daily electrolyte supplementation are narrow: prolonged endurance training in heat, acute illness with fluid loss, strict keto/low-carb diets, certain medical conditions like POTS, and manual labor with heavy sweat losses. For everyone else, water plus a normal diet is fine.
LMNT vs Liquid IV - which is better?
They are designed for different things and the 'better' answer depends on what you actually need. LMNT delivers 1,000mg sodium and zero added sugar in a stevia-sweetened stick - a high-sodium, low-carb product aimed at keto/carnivore consumers and athletes. Liquid IV delivers ~500mg sodium plus 11g of added sugar, intentionally formulated around the WHO oral rehydration ratio that uses sodium-glucose cotransport to enhance water absorption in the gut. For acute dehydration or illness, the Liquid IV / ORS approach is more evidence-based. For low-carb dieters or sweaty endurance athletes who do not want sugar during training, LMNT may fit better. Neither is third-party certified for purity.
Is the sugar in Liquid IV bad for me?
It is intentional, not lazy formulation. The WHO oral rehydration solution that has saved millions of lives during diarrheal disease outbreaks uses a precise glucose-to-sodium ratio because sodium and glucose are absorbed together via the sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) in the small intestine, pulling water across with them. Liquid IV markets this mechanism as 'Cellular Transport Technology.' That said: most people drinking Liquid IV daily are not acutely dehydrated and do not benefit from this mechanism. For them, the 11g of added sugar per serving is just extra sugar in their diet.
Can I just salt my food and skip the powder?
For most people, yes. A teaspoon of table salt provides roughly 2,300mg of sodium - more than any single electrolyte stick. Coupled with potassium-rich foods (potato 926mg, spinach 839mg/cup, banana 422mg, avocado 690mg), a normal diet easily meets electrolyte needs without supplements. The real value of pre-mixed electrolyte powders is convenience during exercise, the discipline of measured dosing during illness, and palatability that encourages adequate fluid intake. None of those are the same as 'you need this nutritionally.'
Are electrolyte powders safe during pregnancy?
Most are likely fine in moderation, but consult your OB before regular use - especially with high-sodium products. Sodium needs do increase modestly during pregnancy due to expanded blood volume, but high sodium intake can be problematic for women at risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. A 1,000mg LMNT stick is a meaningful sodium load and should not be used as a daily habit without physician input. For pregnancy-related dehydration from morning sickness, a clinical ORS like Pedialyte is a more conservative choice and is widely used by clinicians.
Why is LMNT not third-party certified despite the premium price?
LMNT has chosen not to pursue NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport, or BSCG certification, which are the gold standards for verifying purity, label accuracy, and absence of banned substances. The brand publishes some internal testing data and has a clean ingredient list, but for tested athletes (NCAA, MLB, Olympic) using non-certified products carries banned-substance risk. If certification matters to you, look at Skratch Labs, certain Gnarly Nutrition flavors (NSF Sport Certified), or any product carrying the NSF Certified for Sport seal.
What about hangover prevention - does drinking electrolytes work?
The evidence is much weaker than the marketing suggests. Alcohol does have a mild diuretic effect, and some fluid loss occurs during heavy drinking. But controlled studies have not shown that electrolyte beverages meaningfully prevent or shorten hangovers. The strongest predictor of hangover severity is how much alcohol you drank, not whether you sipped LMNT in between. Drinking water alongside alcohol may help slightly with overall hydration; whether you add electrolytes makes minimal difference for the hangover itself.
What is the difference between an ORS and a regular electrolyte drink?
An oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a clinically defined formula - WHO standard reduced-osmolarity ORS contains 75 mmol/L sodium, 65 mmol/L chloride, 75 mmol/L glucose, 20 mmol/L potassium, and 10 mmol/L citrate. It is designed for treating dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting. DripDrop and Pedialyte are formulated close to the ORS standard. Most 'wellness' electrolyte powders (LMNT, Ultima, Cure) are not ORS-compliant - they have different sodium-to-glucose ratios optimized for taste or for low-carb consumers, not for treating clinical dehydration.
How much sodium do I actually lose in sweat?
It varies dramatically by individual - from about 200mg per liter of sweat in well-adapted athletes to over 2,000mg per liter in 'salty sweaters' (visible white residue on skin or clothing after exercise is a sign). Most people lose 500-1,000mg per liter. For typical 1-hour gym workouts, this is not a meaningful loss. For 3+ hour endurance events in heat, sweat sodium losses can exceed 2,000-3,000mg total - which is why marathon and ultra-endurance athletes need real sodium replacement, not just water.
Are zero-sugar electrolyte drinks better than ones with sugar?
It depends on the use case. For daily sipping or low-carb/keto users, zero-sugar (LMNT, Ultima, Cure, Nuun Sport) avoids unnecessary added sugar and fits a low-carb framework. For prolonged endurance exercise greater than 90 minutes, some carbohydrate is actually beneficial (30-90g/hr per ACSM guidelines) for fuel - and the sugar in Tailwind, Skratch Labs, or Gatorade Endurance is doing double-duty as fuel and aiding sodium absorption via SGLT1. For acute illness rehydration, the WHO/ORS sugar-sodium ratio (intentional carbohydrate) is what makes the formula work. So 'sugar-free' is not automatically better.
Sources
- Sawka MN, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(2):377-90.
- Hew-Butler T, et al. Statement of the Third International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference. Clin J Sport Med. 2015;25(4):303-20.
- Hahn S, Kim Y, Garner P. Reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution for treating dehydration caused by acute diarrhoea in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(1):CD002847.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement: Clinical management of acute diarrhoea. 2004. Established reduced-osmolarity ORS (75 mmol/L sodium) as global standard.
- Cermak NM, van Loon LJ. The use of carbohydrates during exercise as an ergogenic aid. Sports Med. 2013;43(11):1139-55.
- Schwellnus MP. Cause of exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMC) - altered neuromuscular control, dehydration or electrolyte depletion? Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(6):401-8.
- Verster JC. The alcohol hangover - a puzzling phenomenon. Alcohol Alcohol. 2008;43(2):124-6.
- DeFronzo RA. The effect of insulin on renal sodium metabolism. A review with clinical implications. Diabetologia. 1981;21(3):165-71.
- CDC NHANES data on US sodium intake: average adult sodium intake exceeds 3,400mg/day, well above the AHA upper limit of 2,300mg.
- Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. National Academies Press, 2005. Adequate Intake for sodium: 1,500mg/day for adults.
- American Heart Association: How much sodium should I eat per day? Recommends ideal limit of 1,500mg/day, upper limit 2,300mg/day for most adults.
- NSF Certified for Sport - searchable product database for athlete-tested supplements free of banned substances.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products discussed on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.