ElectrolytesDo you need electrolyte drinks every day?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
Most people do not. Sodium deficiency is very unlikely in healthy people.[1] In 2021, adults around the world ate 4,278 mg of sodium a day on average, more than double the WHO advice of under 2,000 mg.[1] The US adequate intake for adults aged 19 to 50 is 1,500 mg.[2] In a trial of 413 athletes in an Ironman triathlon of about 12 hours, blood sodium was the same with salt tablets, dummy tablets or no tablets.[3] Electrolytes need replacing when losses are large, as with diarrhea, vomiting or heavy sweating.[4][5]
Sources (5)
- Sodium reduction. World Health Organization, 2026. www.who.int
- Summary - Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine National Academies Press (NCBI Bookshelf), 2019. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Sodium supplementation is not required to maintain serum sodium concentrations during an Ironman triathlon. Hew-Butler TD, Sharwood K, Collins M, Speedy D, Noakes T Br J Sports Med, 2006. PMID 16505084
- Dehydration. NHS, 2026. www.nhs.uk
- Fluid and Electrolyte Balance. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2024. medlineplus.gov
More about electrolytes
What are electrolytes?What are electrolytes used for?What are the signs of low electrolytes?Are electrolyte supplements safe?Do electrolytes help with dehydration from diarrhea?Do electrolyte drinks improve endurance?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.