Once only the secret weapon of endurance athletes, electrolytes are quickly become a 2025 wellness trend for even the most workout shy. Our wellness director investigated to discover everything you need to know.
I was at a luxury skincare launch when I first heard the renewed wellness buzz around electrolytes. Entering a conversation halfway through, I was actually quite shocked to hear the term met with excited interest by the gathered group – not least because it immediately conjured up memories of guzzling down bright orange sports drinks, like Lucozade, while playing sport as a teenager. Or, of ‘hitting the wall’ at my first ultra marathon and reaching for a sugary electrolyte gel to see me through to the end of the race. To me, they were merely a functional (and not particularly ‘sexy’ or ‘trendy’) part of fitness training, so why, I thought, is there suddenly all this excitement around them?
Turns out, electrolytes have had a bit of a makeover – off the athletes track. Here’s why they are quickly becoming a celebrated wellness supplement for daily hydration and energy – plus my thoughts on whether you actually need to take them.
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are vital for numerous bodily functions, including regulating fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signalling. Natural sources of electrolytes include milk, coconut water, bananas (another athlete favourite), baked potatoes and green vegetables, but they are easily lost through sweat, tears and urine. That’s why they are so popular with athletes who want to maintain peak physical performance, while pushing their bodies to the limit.
What’s behind the electrolytes trend?
Recently, electrolyte supplements have surged in popularity beyond athletic circles, and, ultimately, that’s because they’ve had a bit of a rebrand. From helping with hangovers (by tackling dehydration) to boosting your energy when feeling rundown, supplement providers have refocused on their benefits beyond boosting workout performance.
And, of course, social media – as always nowadays – has sent the trend skyrocketing. Every week there seems to be a new video on TikTok showing influencers substituting electrolytes for their morning coffee. No wonder the ‘functional beverages’ trend is growing, with electrolytes arguably leading the way thanks to their ability to ‘supercharge’ your daily drinks with hardly any effort on your part.
Who are they suitable for?
If you’re starting a new fitness routine this January, electrolytes can be on hand to help you stick to your new workout plan a little more easily, by keeping dehydration, muscle cramping and low energy at bay.
But, it’s not just for sporty types. Busy schedules, frequent travel, high-stress environments (and yes one too many glasses of wine) can easily lead to dehydration, so electrolytes can help even the most workout shy. For frequent travellers (as so many CF readers are), a sachet of electrolytes can protect your skin from the plane’s dry air and boost your energy levels when facing jet lag, turning them into an easy-to-use wellness essential when on-the-go.
What is the best way to take electrolytes?
From single-use sachets to powders, you can fit electrolytes into your routine quickly and easily by mixing them in with your morning water, coffee, coffee alternative or other favourite drink. The main thing to note is that you don’t need to take them constantly throughout the day (and especially not if you’re not overexerting yourself). Instead, they are recommended for once-daily use, or even as an when you are particularly struggling with the first signs of dehydration or lower energy.
Do you need electrolyte supplements?
The key to electrolyte use is balance. Most people with a healthy diet and moderate activity levels do not require an extreme amount of additional supplementation – focusing on drinking enough water and eating nutrient-rich food should come first. However, if you’ve noticed struggles with dehydration or energy levels, electrolytes are a proven short-term mineral boost to try. Just make sure to choose formulations with care, favouring those free of added sugars and unnecessary fillers to ensure you are getting the most bang for your wellness buck.
The best electrolyte supplements to try
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