ELECTROLYTES seem to be everywhere these days.
But in truth, these minerals have always been in our bodies and the food and drinks we consume.
You might have once only reached for electrolytes – like Dioralyte or Lucozade – to rehydrate after a stomach bug or hangover.
Now, retailers are showcasing newer, shinier versions in sleek packaging across billboards with bold, colourful fonts, marketing them as everything from mind-enhancing to energy-boosting.
They’re even being promoted by influencers and celebs, like Trinny Woodall, Jennifer Anniston and Logan Paul, on social media.
They promise these drinks can help in a multitude of amazing-sounding ways, from enhancing your workouts and even improving your focus.
But can they really do these things, and how much should you actually worry about your electrolyte intake?
“Not everyone needs to drink electrolytes,”; Dominika Blonska, a personal trainer, nutrition coach and founder of DEFINEBYDOM, tells Sun Health.
“Most people get enough electrolytes from a balanced diet.”;
Electrolytes are minerals that become electrically charged when dissolved in water.
This charge helps regulate fluid balance in and out of cells, keeping them hydrated and functioning properly.
When you sweat, your body loses electrolytes, which is why it's important to replace them.
“So, if you sweat a lot, experience dehydration from vomiting, diarrhoea, or drinking alcohol, electrolyte drinks can be beneficial to replenish electrolytes that are lost,”; Dominika explains.
According to the NHS, signs of dehydration include feeling very thirsty, having dark-coloured urine, needing to pee less often, and skin that’s slow to return to its normal position when pinched.
But it’s important to remember that electrolyte drinks aren’t meant to be sipped all day like water – or for a boost of energy.
If you drink them when you don’t really need to, the high electrolyte content can cause imbalances, and even toxicity, Dominika adds.
For instance, too much potassium could make you vomit or have diarrhoea, which, ironically, can end up causing dehydration.
Most people in the UK already consume too much sodium (salt), which is found in all electrolyte products.
Excessive salt intake is linked to high blood pressure and kidney problems, so those in these risk groups should be cautious when using electrolyte supplements.
How I tested
When looking for good electrolytes, Dominika suggested focusing on key minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, so I made sure each drink had at least those.
She also recommended choosing ones that are low in sugar or have no added sugar, and ideally no artificial additives, so I kept that in mind too.
I tested how well they mixed with water – no one wants clumps!
I also looked for extra vitamins, which are always a nice bonus.
And, of course, the taste. Electrolytes can be salty – I often think they taste sweaty – but it shouldn’t be overwhelming.
So, here's my review of each, from worst to best.
MyVitamin sachets (strawberry and cherry flavour)
Cost: £13.99 for 28 sachets, from myvitamins
It’s clear the manufacturers put a lot of effort into making sure these don’t taste like electrolytes.
The flavour reminded me of the overwhelmingly sweet candy floss from childhood fairs, completely masking any salty taste – though it might be a bit too sweet for most adults.
The powder eventually dissolved into the water after a bit of vigorous stirring, leaving it a garish pink.
It contains all four key electrolyte minerals mentioned by Dominika – big tick.
It also uses a sweetener instead of sugar, and includes added B and C vitamins – both of which support overall health – more ticks.
Score:
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Mix: 3/5
- Taste: 2/5
- Overall: 10/15
Humantra sachet(apricot)
Cost: £27.50 for 20 sachets, from Healf
The first thing that struck me about this powder was how vividly orange it turned the water — an apricot hue, you could say.
The drink also tasted, and smelled, exactly like artificial apricot, with an unexpected juicy tartness.
The good news: it contained no added sugar.
The bad news: the artificial sweeteners overpowered everything, leaving a lingering, cloying aftertaste that I found unpleasant.
It took some effort to mix properly, with stubborn bits floating on top, which was slightly off-putting when trying to drink it.
That said, it delivered on the essentials, providing the four key minerals: sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
It also contains added zinc for immune support and healing, along with vitamin C and B12, which play a key role in supporting metabolism and keeping your cells running smoothly.
Score:
- Ingredients: 4/5
- Mix: 3/5
- Taste: 4/5
- Overall: 11/15
Ancient + Brave true hydration sachets
Cost: £19.20 (as part of subscription) for 15 sachets, from Ancient + Brave
These sachets tasted very natural, with a subtle coconut flavour and a salty undertone, much like coconut water.
Given that it contained no sweeteners or sugar, this was hardly surprising.
It’s definitely the electrolyte I’d choose if I were feeling unwell and couldn’t stomach anything too overpowering.
But due to its distinct lack of sweetness, it wouldn't be my go-to after a long, tiring run when I'm looking for a quick pick-me-up.
The powder mixed into the water fairly quickly, leaving it only slightly cloudy.
And it ticked all the boxes for the four key electrolyte minerals.
It also has chicory root, which might help with gut health, and chromium picolinate, which could support weight loss, though the jury’s still out on both.
Score:
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Mix: 4/5
- Taste: 2/5
- Overall: 12/15
Liquid IV hydration multiplier sachet (tropical punch)
Cost: £19 for 16 sachets, from Liquid I.V
These individual sachets were by far the tastiest I tried – kind of like tropical squash.
The packet suggests mixing it with 500ml of water, but I’d recommend adding 200ml more to avoid it getting too syrupy and sweet. And I could barely taste salt, which boded well.
The powder dissolved beautifully, almost instantly, with no horrible clumps left behind.
They contained sodium and potassium, but magnesium and calcium were nowhere to be found.
On the downside, it contained artificial sweeteners and sugar, so it won’t be great for those trying to limit their sugar intake.
It does, however, also contain vitamin C, which can boost your immune system and help with recovery, plus B vitamins, which many of us need more of.
Score:
- Ingredients: 3/5
- Mix: 5/5
- Taste: 4/5
- Overall: 12/15
ESN electrolyte sachet(red apple)
Cost £26.99 for 15, from ESN
Once mixed into water, I was pleasantly surprised by how much this electrolyte tasted like apple juice, specifically the kind you'd get in a carton at school.
The sachet contained a lot of powder, so a shaker was needed to mix it properly with the water.
The drink’s colour was a little off-putting at first, turning a brownish apple juice shade, but once mixed, the taste was smooth, sweet, and had no salty aftertaste.
While it’s not the most convenient to mix, it’s still a good option for those looking for a sweet, fruity flavour.
It had no sugar, just sweeteners, and included all the essential electrolytes.
Unlike the other electrolytes, it also contains dextrin, a carb that gives quick energy.
This makes it great for long activities like running a marathon, biking for hours, or hiking – anything that needs sustained energy.
Score:
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Mix: 3/5
- Taste: 4/5
- Overall: 12/15
High5 Zero tablets (tropical)
Cost: £7.22 for 20 tablets, from highfive
I enjoyed how easy these were to use.
Simply drop your tab into a bottle of water, and voilà – no powdery mess on the table or flimsy sachet to dispose of.
It dissolves in seconds, leaving no trace of its grainy form.
The drink it created was refreshing, in a way that would be exactly what you crave after a long run.
It had a strong – but not overpowering – tropical flavour, with no lingering salty taste.
The drink contains three of the four key minerals we're after: magnesium, sodium and potassium.
It uses sweetener instead of sugar, but thankfully, it didn't taste artificial.
It is also infused with green tea extract, specifically Camellia sinensis, which is believed to improve heart health.
Studies show that green tea, in high doses, can lower cholesterol, reduce heart disease risk, and protect cells with its antioxidant content.
Score:
- Ingredients: 4/5
- Mix: 5/5
- Taste: 4/5
- Overall: 13/15
How your pee can reveal if you are dehydrated
Your pee can be a quick and easy way to check if you're drinking enough water.
Staying hydrated is important for keeping your body running smoothly.
Dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness, and more serious issues like kidney problems.
Here’s what to look out for:
Clear or pale yellow
This means you're well-hydrated. Your body is flushing out waste effectively and your fluid levels are on track.
Light yellow to amber
Your pee's a bit darker – it's a sign you might need to drink more. You’re starting to get slightly dehydrated, so it’s time to top up your fluids.
Dark yellow or honey-coloured
This is a clear sign you're dehydrated. Your body is holding onto water, so make sure to drink more throughout the day.
Very dark yellow or brown
Pee that’s dark yellow, or looks like brown tea or cola, could indicate severe dehydration. It’s important to hydrate right away, and if it doesn’t improve, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
Source: NHS
Cadence premix can
Cost: £48 for 24 cans, from run4it
This tasted really good, like a slightly flat Sprite.
It had one of the mildest salty electrolyte flavours of all the drinks I tried, which was a welcome change.
The main selling point of the Candence premix is its convenience.
Unlike the powders, which require mixing, shaking, or stirring, this comes in a pre-made can – just pop it open, and you're good to go.
I’d advise putting it in the fridge before you drink it. Not for safety reasons, but because it’s far more refreshing when chilled, giving it a crisp, clean taste.
While it only contains potassium and magnesium out of the four key minerals and had no added vitamins, it more than made up for it with its great taste.
It doesn't contain any sugar, and the artificial sweetener taste was subtle, which is a win-win.
For me, the biggest downside of these is the cost.
A bundle of 24 cans will set you back £48, working out to £2 per can, which seems a bit steep when you consider other options on the market.
Score:
- Ingredients: 3/5
- Mix: 5/5
- Taste: 5/5
- Overall: 13/15
Holland and Barrett precision energy tablets (lemon and lime)
Cost: £2 for 20 tablets, from Holland and Barrett
If someone told me this was regular lemonade, I might believe them.
It had no hint of salty electrolyte flavour at all, and the amount of lemon was perfect – balanced rather than trying to mask anything.
Coming in effervescent tablet form, it was effortless to use and completely mess-free. And it dissolved very quickly.
It's sweetened with a sugar alternative, but luckily, it didn’t taste artificial in the slightest.
It only ticked three of the four boxes for electrolyte minerals, specifically: calcium, magnesium and potassium.
On the plus side, it does contain added vitamin C, which is great for boosting your immune system.
This electrolyte also stole the show in terms of price, costing just 10p per tablet.
Score:
- Ingredients: 4/5
- Mix: 5/5
- Taste: 5/5
- Overall: 14/15
