The best electrolytes 2024 – tried and tested
If you're struggling with poor sleep, fatigue or headaches, you may be dehydrated and low in electrolytes. Read Good Food's guide to the best electrolytes as well as information on when to take them, the best forms, and more
If you are not sleeping well, feeling tired or even experiencing headaches you may be dehydrated and lacking in key minerals, known as electrolytes. These minerals which include sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, conduct electricity when dissolved in fluids making them essential for regulating chemical reactions in the body and for our nerves and muscles to function properly. Electrolytes also maintain our fluid balance, help the heart to work and regulate our blood pressure.
Read more about what electrolytes do and how to replenish them.
Best electrolytes at a glance
Best electrolyte powder
Best electrolyte drinks
- Best electrolytes for athletes: SiS HYDRO+ electrolyte drink mix, from £8.99
- Best natural electrolytes: Raw Hydrate, £2.50 (per bottle)
Best electrolyte tablets
- Best tasting electrolytes: Hux Hydration, from £19
- Best all-rounder electrolytes: Phizz Daily 3-in-1, £16
- Best electrolytes for value for money: SiS Hydro tablets, from £8
Best chews
- Best electrolytes for convenience: Salt Stick Electrolyte Fast Chews, £3.75
Best oral rehydration solution
- Best electrolytes for after illness: DiaCare oral rehydration for children and adults, £6
Jump to section:
- Best electrolyte supplements 2024
- What are electrolytes?
- When should you take electrolytes?
- What is the best form of electrolytes?
- How we tested electrolyte supplements
Best electrolyte supplements 2024
Best electrolyte powder
Ancient & Brave True Hydration
Available from Ancient + Brave (£32), Amazon (£32), Face the Future (£32)
Best electrolytes to start the day
Price per day: £1.07 per day
Star rating: 4/5
Providing a balanced mix of electrolytes, Ancient & Brave suggest this coconut water powder with inulin makes a rehydrating start to your day. Promoted for everyday use, our testers found the flavour subtle, with a salty undertone. A scoop is available (at an extra cost) which allows for more accurate dosing.
Available from:
Humantra Himalyan Lime
Available from Humantra (£28), Amazon (£28)
Best electrolytes for balance
Price per serving: £1.40
Star rating: 4/5
A plant-based, electrolyte blend, that is naturally sweetened with stevia and provides all six essential electrolytes as well as additional nutrients for metabolism and immunity. The manufacturer claims this product is four times as hydrating as plain water. Our tester liked the flavour and smell, but felt the drink had a chalky residue.
Available from:
Veloforte mixed electrolyte powders
Available from Amazon (pack of nine £17.59), Veloforte (pack of 12 £23.09)
Best plant-based electrolytes
Price per sachet: £2.06
Star rating: 4/5
Our tester rated this highly, although the powder and water needed to be shaken well, she found it provided a welcome boost of energy and hydration on her long runs, without causing stomach issues. Made from freeze-dried fruit, the four flavours include an electrolytes only (‘Solo’), added carbs as cane sugar (‘Passo’ and ‘Vivo’), or added carbs and caffeine option (‘Attivo’). This was one of the pricier in our trial but also one of the most liked.
Available from:
Rejuvenated H3O Hydration
Available from Rejuvenated (£27.50), Amazon (£27.50), Cult Beauty (£27.50)
Best electrolytes for beauty
Price per sachet: 92p
Star rating: 3.5/5
A powdered electrolyte drink with prebiotics to support gut health and an added ‘beauty complex’ which includes skin supportive compounds such as resveratrol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. The mix of electrolytes, which includes potassium and magnesium, are provided at relatively low levels. Our tester likened the diluted product to a ‘weak squash’, although the smell suggested a more fruity, full-bodied flavour.
Available from:
Best electrolyte drinks
SIS Hydro+ electrolyte drink mix
Available from SiS (from £8.99)
Best electrolytes for athletes
Price per tablet: £1.20
Star rating: 4/5
A balanced mix of five key electrolytes with added vitamins to support energy levels and fight fatigue. This powdered product has been independently tested for banned substances making it a reliable choice for those involved in competitive sport. That said, our tester found the taste too salty.
Available from:
Raw Hydrate juices
Available from Sainsburys (£2.50 - currently only in store)
Best natural electrolytes
Price per 250ml bottle: £2.50
Star rating: 4/5
Raw Hydrate is a watermelon juice available in three all-natural flavours. This refreshing juice is likely to be high in potassium and sugars, with smaller contributions of magnesium and calcium and low levels of sodium. Available in 250ml bottles, this product needs to be refrigerated, and once opened should be consumed within 24 hours. Our tester noted that the bottle size is in excess of the UK guideline daily amount for juices, which limits intake to 150ml per day.
Available from:
- Sainsburys (£2.50 - currently only in store)
Best electrolyte tablets
Hux hydration tablets
Available from Hux Health (£24)
Best tasting electrolytes
Price per 2 tablets: 80p
Star rating: 4/5
Although our tester found the recommended two tabs slow to dissolve, they were left with a surprisingly clear drink providing a balance of potassium, magnesium, chloride and sodium. Our tester liked the lemongrass and ginger flavour, and the fact that it didn’t have the typical salty taste, although they found other flavours intense and chose to dilute with extra water.
Available from:
PHIZZ Daily 3 in 1
Available from Phizz (£7.99), Amazon (£8)
Best all-rounder electrolyte
Price per tablet: 40p
Star rating: 4/5
Phizz is a multivitamin and rehydration tablet in one, with an added caffeine (75mg) option also available. These tablets dissolve easily in water to create an electrolyte drink that provides a combination of glucose with four electrolytes – potassium, chloride, magnesium and sodium. In addition, each tab provides 18 essential micronutrients, including vitamin B12 making it a useful option for vegans. Our tester found the berry flavour an acquired taste, although it did dissolve more quickly than other products.
Available from:
SIS Hydro tablets with added B vitamins
Available from SiS (£8)
Best electrolytes for value for money
Price per dose: 40p
Star rating: 4/5
Convenient and inexpensive, these tablets were slow to dissolve but created a hydrating and energising electrolyte drink. Designed to provide sodium at a specific concentration (30mmol/L) for improved hydration, our tester enjoyed the gentle fizz and flavour of this product.
Available from:
Best electrolyte chews
Salt Stick Electrolyte Fast Chews
Available from Holland & Barrett (£3.75)
Best electrolytes for convenience
Price per chew: 38p (2 can be taken every 15-30 minutes)
Star rating: 4/5
These portable and convenient chews can be taken every 15-30 minutes during physical activity making them suitable for endurance athletes. Supplying four key electrolytes in a bioavailable form, this product facilitates sustained support during endurance activities. Our tester found the slight fizz and taste, pleasant.
Available from:
Best oral rehydration solution
DiaCare oral rehydration for children and adults
Available from Amazon (£6)
Best electrolytes for after an illness
Price per sachet: £1.02
Star rating: 4/5
This oral hydration powder is designed for use after illness. Three electrolytes – magnesium, potassium and sodium – are combined with glucose to promote re-hydration, whilst the probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, is included to help repopulate the gut, following episodes of diarrhoea. Suitable for children, these sachets dissolve easily in water and have a pleasant citrus flavour. Sweetened with sucralose.
Available from:
What are electrolytes?
The electrolytes our bodies rely on include sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and phosphate. Of these, we can make bicarbonate ourselves and sodium chloride or table salt is quite easily obtained from the diet. The majority of us who eat a varied, balanced diet and don’t sweat too often, should get the other electrolytes we need from fruit, vegetables, nuts, dairy, high quality sources of protein and plain water.
However, if you do fall into a category that may benefit from supplementation, look for a product that provides a balanced mix of these essential electrolytes, because electrolytes interact together. How much of these minerals you’ll need will depend on your specific circumstances.
When should you take electrolytes?
We lose electrolytes through body fluids such as sweat and urine, this means those who benefit from supplementation most, are likely to be endurance athletes and hard-hitting gym-goers as well as marathon runners, especially those who compete in hot, humid conditions. If you are a gym goer and not sure if this is you, the general rule is if your activity doesn’t involve much sweating or is less than an hour in duration, the electrolytes found in whole foods should be sufficient. If your activity lasts longer than an hour or is in extreme heat, an electrolyte product may be helpful.
The other occasions when an otherwise healthy individual may benefit from supplementation, is after bouts of sickness and diarrhoea, and possibly after a heavy drinking session, because excess alcohol may lead to dehydration which can throw your electrolyte levels out of balance. Signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dark-coloured urine, a need to urinate less frequently and skin that when pinched is slow to return to its normal position.
Consuming too many electrolytes, just as too few, may lead to an imbalance and in severe cases cause symptoms like weakness, headache, tremor, cramping, confusion and a rapid heartbeat. If you do supplement always check pack instructions carefully and don’t take more than the recommended amounts.
Only use electrolyte supplements when needed, such as after strenuous exercise, excessive sweating or illness. If you’re on prescribed medication, including diuretics, refer to your GP for guidance.
What is the best form of electrolytes?
Electrolyte powders, ready to go drinks, salt chews and dissolvable tablets are designed to restore the body’s levels of electrolytes and promote rehydration in an optimal way. The best product for you is the one that works well for your specific needs, preferences and lifestyle. Look for a product that provides a balanced mix of essential electrolytes along with carbs, like glucose, as this will help deliver water to the cells quicker.
How we tested electrolyte supplements
Our key criteria were price (which we judged by the cost of a recommended daily dose), the percentage of nutrient reference value (where relevant) provided in the recommended dose of each product, and how the product format (powder, tablet, drink, chew etc) and form of minerals might affect the amounts absorbed by the body.
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What to eat during your run
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Do supplements work?
How to get the most out of supplements
What supplements should I take?
Always keep supplements out of the reach of children. Unless otherwise stated we tested products available in the UK market that are suitable for adults. Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
A qualified nutritionist (MBANT), Kerry Torrens is a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including Good Food. Kerry is a member of the The Royal Society of Medicine, Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT).
All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
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