Electrolytes

What are electrolytes?

Updated 9 Nov 2026

Short answer

Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge in blood and other body fluids: sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphate and bicarbonate.[1] They help balance the water in the body and help nerves, muscles and the heart work.[1] The body gets them from food and drinks and loses them in sweat; plain water contains very little of them.[2] Products include oral rehydration solutions, which are powders mixed with water, and sports drinks with carbohydrate and electrolytes.[3][4]

Sources (4)

  1. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2024. medlineplus.gov
  2. Electrolytes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2025. medlineplus.gov
  3. Dehydration. NHS, 2026. www.nhs.uk
  4. Oral Rehydration Beverages for Treating Exercise-Associated Dehydration: A Systematic Review, Part I. Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Solutions. Borra V, De Brier N, Berry DC, Zideman D, Singletary E, De Buck E J Athl Train, 2025. PMID 38116803

More about electrolytes

Do you need electrolyte drinks every day?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.