If You Sweat a Lot While Working Out, You Should Consider Adding Electrolytes to Your Water

We carefully reviewed this article in April 2023 and stand by our picks.

The popularity of electrolytes started more than 40 years ago as a way to properly hydrate athletes who were exercising in the Florida heat and losing nutrients by sweating profusely. Trainers found that by adding carbohydrates, salt and key minerals to their water, the players were able to perform better and were less likely to be stricken with heat stroke. Over the years water additives have become more sophisticated and skyrocketed in popularity and are now available in hundreds of different flavors, forms and price ranges.

But it’s not just athletes that can benefit from adding electrolytes to their water! Electrolyte replenishment can be especially helpful if you engage in extended workouts, are a heavy sweater, travel on a plane, spend a lot of time outside in the heat, are sick with a fever or are in need of a hangover cure. In any of these conditions, your need for fluids and electrolytes may exceed what a balanced diet can provide. In addition, if flavored electrolyte powders can help you to drink more water overall and even eliminate sugary beverages from your diet, they can have some real nutritional benefits.

The registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab have evaluated dozens of electrolyte powders and consulted with Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, CSSN, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, to bring you our top choices for 2023 with consideration for taste, ingredients and value.

Our top picks:

Stick around after our top picks to learn more about how to best incorporate electrolyte drinks into your workout routine, plus more information about how to pick the best electrolyte powder for you. If you are looking for more pre- and post-workout powders and drinks, check out our guides to the best protein powders for women and the best energy drinks.