Electrolytes are having a moment — these are the ones to buy

In all honesty, there are times when this wellness lark feels a bit like an elaborate game of whack-a-mole.

I was, for example, told that science empirically found that eight glasses of water were necessary for hydration, so I duly drank them, keen to keep the 60% of me that’s water satisfied. Then an excellent nutritionist suggested I add a pinch of salt to my morning hot water and lemon to help my body rehydrate after the night, so I diligently did that, too. Next, on a retreat, I was reliably advised that electrolytes really helped matters and so I, ever a keen acolyte, added them.

That said, I felt suspicious. Yes, when I drank my salt water in the morning and my electrolyte water in the afternoon, I never felt I needed to urgently slake my thirst — but, then, was that just because I was drinking enough water overall because I was paying so much attention to doing so?

Either way, I’m not the only one who’s cottoned onto electrolytes, with the Global Market Report 2024 projecting that the market size for them will grow from $36.56 billion in 2023 to $40.32 billion in 2024 — which would explain why my postbox is suddenly being stuffed with packages from brands promising their electrolytes do the job best.

I decided that the time had come to ask the experts whether electrolytes really are worth the fuss and, if they are, which ones we should be lacing our water with. Associate nutritionist Michelle McKenzie is emphatically pro. “Yes, the human body is 60% water — but a third of that is salt water. It’s hard to hydrate adequately with just plain water — our body needs electrolytes for optimal hydration so that fluid is carried into the cells and isn’t just excreted out in the urine.”

Clarissa Lenherr, registered nutritional therapist, agrees that “electrolytes are essential minerals which play a crucial role in maintaining proper hydration and nerve and muscle function,” but adds that they’re not something to rely on regularly. “When we exercise or when we’re ill, we can lose electrolytes through sweat or other bodily fluids — this is where adding in electrolytes to your routine may be helpful.” She issues the warning that “certain electrolytes, such as sodium, if consumed in excess can contribute to high blood pressure, kidney concerns and fluid retention. Individuals with kidney concerns, hypertension or cardiovascular conditions should monitor their electrolyte intake carefully.”

On balance, I’ve decided to keep them as a staple in my routine — but rather than add them to every single glass of water I drink, I rely on them when I’ve had a glass of wine, or when I feel I could do with a little more hydration than I’m getting, like on a sweltering day.

Here are the ones the experts — and I — love.