Why Most Electrolyte Drinks Miss The Mark (and What To Choose Instead)

Once the preserve of endurance athletes, electrolyte drinks are now everywhere. Designed to support hydration and mineral balance, these brightly coloured products have zingy flavours like citrus and ginger. But the eye-catching packaging can hide a long list of undesirable ingredients and poorly absorbed minerals, which is why most electrolyte drinks miss the mark. Here’s what to choose instead – and why.

What do electrolytes do?

Electrolytes are a group of minerals that have a positive or a negative electrical charge in the body. The main electrolyte minerals are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. Their electrical charge gives them an essential role in cell health, fluid regulation, energy metabolism, and the normal function of muscles and nerves:

• Electrolyte Balance & Hydration: Magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance [1], to help maintain proper hydration and normal water-electrolyte distribution in the body. 

• Muscle Function: Magnesium, calcium, and potassium each contribute to normal muscle function [1]. This means they support the normal contraction and relaxation of muscle fibres in every muscle in the body, including the heart.

• Nervous System Support: Calcium, magnesium, and potassium contribute to normal neurotransmission and nervous system function [1].

• Reduction of Tiredness & Fatigue: Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue [1]. 

• Digestive Support: Chloride contributes to normal digestion by the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach [1].  Healthy digestion and fluid absorption go hand in hand for effective rehydration, especially during exercise and recovery.

The hidden problems with typical electrolyte drinks

Most electrolyte products suffer two main problems: an overly sweet taste and poor-quality minerals. 

To make a powder, gel, or dissolvable tablet look and taste appealing, manufacturers use colourings, flavourings, sugars, nutritive sweeteners like sorbitol, or artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame. These ingredients pose a number of problems: 

• Sweeteners are often poorly tolerated, especially by people with a sensitive digestion who may experience an upset stomach after using sweetened electrolyte products. 

• Sugars provide extra refined carbohydrates which have a knock-on effect on dental and metabolic health.

• Flavourings may be artificial or natural but the “natural” part can be a misnomer. Many so-called “natural” flavourings contain natural ingredients along with a cocktail of synthetic additives and preservatives.
  
  Take vanilla for example. Natural vanilla flavouring can be sourced from vanillin, the organic compound in vanilla beans, but this may be mixed with potassium sorbate as a preservative, propylene glycol as a carrier for the flavour compounds, and caramel as a colouring. Not as natural as you would think!

When it comes to minerals, poorly absorbed forms like oxides and carbonates are commonplace. Many brands use the same inorganic forms of minerals that you find in rocks and oceans. We can all agree that humans haven’t evolved to digest nutrients from rocks and seawater, so why put the same types of minerals in an electrolyte drink!

The end result is an overly sweet product with low mineral absorption that’s not good for your health or your wallet.

Why capsule electrolytes are a smarter choice

Electrolytes are usually delivered as powder, gel, liquid, or dissolvable tablet. Measuring powders and liquids can be messy and awkward, especially while travelling, and gels can be sticky to use. 

Capsule electrolytes are clean, quick, and convenient to use. There’s no mixing or measuring required, and no need for sweeteners, flavourings or colourings. The handy capsules mean you get pure, effective electrolytes with no unnecessary additives.

Why we use chelated minerals 

Chelated minerals are more soluble and better absorbed compared to inorganic forms like oxides and carbonates. 

For example, research shows that calcium citrate is 22-27% better absorbed than calcium carbonate [2], and organic forms of magnesium are more bioavailable than magnesium oxide or sulphate [3]. 

Better absorption lowers the risk of unpleasant gastrointestinal side-effects that are common with poorly absorbed mineral salts.

The science behind the amino acid uptake blend

Our amino acid uptake blend is inspired by the latest hydration science and sports nutrition research. Unlike most other electrolyte products that use sugars to enhance mineral absorption, we designed a unique blend of l-glutamine, l-threonine, l-valine, l-tyrosine, and l-serine amino acids (the l-configuration is the natural form found in the body). This combination of neutral, aromatic, and branched-chain amino acids enhances the uptake and performance of Hydrate Electrolytes, without any of the negative metabolic effects associated with sugar and sweeteners.

What makes Hydrate Electrolytes different from other products?

Unlike most other electrolyte products on the market, Hydrate Electrolytes uses chelated minerals combined with amino acids for superior absorption and hydration efficiency.  

Who can benefit from electrolytes? 

There are times when taking extra electrolytes can be beneficial. During exercise for example, or in hot weather when minerals are easily lost through sweat.

An electrolyte supplement can be helpful for:

• Rehydration support during and after exercise, or while travelling.

• Rehydration support during recovery from illness.

• Managing tiredness and fatigue.

• Muscle and nervous system support.

• Daily mineral support, especially during hot weather.

FAQs

What are electrolytes and why do I need them?

Electrolytes are minerals that have a positive or a negative electrical charge in the body. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride are the main electrolyte minerals. They play an essential role in fluid regulation, energy metabolism, and the normal function of muscles and nerves.

Are capsule electrolytes better than electrolyte drinks?

Capsules are a clean and convenient way to take electrolytes. There’s no measuring or mixing required like there is with powders and liquids, and no need for artificial sweeteners, sugars, flavourings, or colourings.

What makes chelated minerals better for hydration?

Chelated minerals are more soluble and better absorbed compared to inorganic forms like oxides and carbonates. Better absorption means better performance and a lower risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

Are your electrolytes sugar-free and flavour-free?

Yes, Hydrate Electrolytes are free from sugar, sweeteners, colourings, and any kind of flavourings.

When should I take electrolyte supplements?

Electrolyte supplements can be useful during and after exercise, while travelling, in hot weather when minerals are more easily lost through sweat, and for daily mineral support.

Hydrate Electrolytes represents a huge step forward in effective rehydration support. With zero sugar, sweeteners, flavourings, or colourings, our superior formula of chelated minerals and natural amino acids offers a clean and convenient way to meet your electrolyte needs.

You may also like to read:

Natural Vs. Synthetic Vitamins: Do They Make a Difference?

Clean Supplements: What This Actually Means

What Is Chelated Magnesium?

The Evidence

1. Department of Health and Social Care, 2025. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register [online] Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/great-britain-nutrition-and-health-claims-nhc-register 

2. Sakhaee, K., Bhuket, T., Adams-Huet, B., & Rao, D. S. 1999. Meta-analysis of calcium bioavailability: a comparison of calcium citrate with calcium carbonate. American journal of therapeutics, 6(6), 313–321. https://doi.org/10.1097/00045391-199911000-00005 

3. Fiorentini, D., Cappadone, C., Farruggia, G., & Prata, C. 2021. Magnesium: Biochemistry, Nutrition, Detection, and Social Impact of Diseases Linked to Its Deficiency. Nutrients, 13(4), 1136. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041136