- Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium regulate fluid balance, nerve signalling and muscle contraction[1], so they affect hydration, energy and performance.[4]
- Signs you may need more electrolytes include cramps, heavy sweat loss, dizziness, fatigue, headaches and feeling "off" despite drinking plenty of water.
- Daily electrolyte drinks can be appropriate for active people, hot environments, keto or low carb, fasting and medication like Mounjaro that may affect appetite and fluid intake.
- The best electrolyte powder prioritises a smart sodium to potassium ratio, meaningful magnesium, zero sugar and a clean, tested formula without unnecessary additives.
- Love Life Supplements offers Ultimate Electrolytes powder (1:1 sodium to potassium, 150 mg magnesium malate per serving) and Electrolyte Balance Capsules for convenient, sugar free daily support.
Electrolytes are one of those topics that sound technical, yet they sit behind some very everyday experiences. Feeling flat after a long day on your feet, cramping halfway through a workout, or drinking litres of water yet still feeling thirsty can all be linked to electrolyte balance.
This FAQ article answers the most common questions people ask about electrolyte drinks, electrolyte powder and electrolyte supplements. We will look at what electrolytes actually do, when you might need more, daily safety, how they interact with things like keto and Mounjaro, and how to choose a clean, effective product.
A Note from Ben, Founder of Love Life Supplements
Electrolytes used to be something I only thought about on really hot training days. Over the years, working with customers and looking at the research, I realised that smart electrolyte use can transform how you feel across the whole day, not just during workouts.
When we created Ultimate Electrolytes, I wanted a formula I could use during fasted mornings, tougher CrossFit style sessions and hot summer days without taking on sugar or artificial junk. That meant real Himalayan pink salt for sodium, a proper 1:1 sodium to potassium ratio and meaningful magnesium from magnesium malate for energy production.
I use one serving of Ultimate Electrolytes most training days, and keep Electrolyte Balance Capsules around for travel or when I want something even more convenient. If you are training hard, using keto or Mounjaro, or just feel better with steadier hydration, dialing in electrolytes can make a huge difference.
Hydrate smart, not just more,
Ben Law
Founder, Love Life Supplements
What do electrolytes do for your body?
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge in your body fluids. The main ones are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride. Together they:
- Help regulate fluid balance between the inside and outside of your cells[2].
- Control nerve signalling so muscles can contract and relax properly.
- Support heart rhythm and blood pressure regulation.
- Influence energy production and performance, especially under heat or stress.
When electrolytes are in balance, you can maintain performance, think clearly and feel stable even during long days, hard training or hot weather. When they are out of balance, hydration and energy suffer, no matter how much plain water you drink.
How do you tell if you need electrolytes?
It is not always obvious, but common signs you might benefit from more electrolytes include:
- Frequent muscle cramps or twitching, especially in calves or feet.
- Headaches or a "hungover" feeling despite drinking water.
- Needing to urinate very often when you push plain water intake higher.
- Feeling light-headed when standing or during exercise.
- Unusual fatigue or sense of being "washed out" after sweating.
The questions people ask such as “How do I know if I need electrolytes?” or “How does your body feel when it needs electrolytes?” usually come back to this cluster of symptoms. If you sweat heavily, train regularly, work in heat, use a low carb or keto diet, or are on medications that affect fluid balance, you are more likely to benefit from targeted electrolyte support.
Low electrolytes, imbalance and when to be cautious
It is useful to distinguish between mild day to day low electrolyte symptoms and more serious electrolyte imbalance. Common mild symptoms of low electrolytes can include:
- Cramping and tight or "dead" feeling muscles.
- Thirst that is not resolved by water alone.
- Brain fog, low mood or irritability.
- Palpitations or feeling your heart is pounding when under-hydrated.
More severe electrolyte imbalance can cause confusion, severe weakness, vomiting or changes in heart rhythm[3]. That is a medical issue and needs urgent attention.
“How do you check your electrolyte levels?” In clinical practice, this is done via blood tests, usually ordered by your GP or hospital team. At home, you can only infer from symptoms, sweat loss and context. If you suspect a serious imbalance, always speak to a health professional.
Is it okay to drink electrolytes daily?
For most healthy people, daily electrolyte drinks are fine when used sensibly and chosen well. Scenarios where daily use is often helpful include:
- Training most days of the week, especially mixed modal or higher intensity work.
- Working in hot or humid environments.
- Low carb, keto or carnivore diets where insulin and kidney handling of sodium shifts[5].
- Intermittent fasting, particularly if you feel light-headed or get headaches without food.
- Periods on medications like Mounjaro where appetite changes and you need to be deliberate with hydration and minerals.
“Is it okay to drink electrolytes daily?” and “Should I drink electrolytes every day?” depend on dose and context. If you use a high sugar sports drink several times a day, that is a different picture to a clean, zero sugar electrolyte powder with an evidence-based mineral profile.
Electrolytes and Mounjaro, keto and fasting
Many people now ask “Should I drink electrolytes while on Mounjaro?” or similar medications that alter appetite and blood sugar. These medications can change eating patterns and sometimes fluid intake, which makes hydration and electrolytes more important.
Clean electrolyte supplements can help you feel steady between meals, support blood pressure and reduce dizziness when standing[1]. They are not a treatment for side effects or a replacement for medical advice, but they can be a useful tool in your overall routine.
On keto and low carb diets, the kidneys excrete more sodium. Pair that with insulin changes and you can end up under-salted if you just “cut the carbs” without increasing sodium and potassium. This is one reason people feel the so-called “keto flu”. A well designed electrolyte powder can shorten that adaptation phase and help you feel more normal day to day.
What is the best drink and best source of electrolytes?
People often ask “What is the best drink for electrolytes?” and “What drink has the most electrolytes?” It is less about absolute quantity and more about the balance of minerals and the rest of the ingredients.
Very sugary sports drinks provide fluid and sodium but often under-deliver on potassium and magnesium and over-deliver on sugar. Plain water hydrates but does not provide minerals[2]. Homemade options like lightly salting water and adding a squeeze of citrus are better than nothing, but they are not precise.
With Ultimate Electrolytes, each serving provides approximately:
- ~500 mg sodium from Himalayan pink salt, bringing over 80 trace minerals.
- ~500 mg potassium from potassium chloride to match sodium in a 1:1 ratio.
- ~150 mg magnesium from magnesium malate to support energy and muscle function.
If you prefer capsules, Electrolyte Balance Capsules provide a similar mineral profile in a two capsule serving. Whole foods like vegetables, fruits, quality salt and mineral rich water remain important, but a properly formulated electrolyte supplement fills gaps precisely when it matters.
When should I drink electrolytes?
“When should I drink electrolytes?” and “Is it better to drink water or electrolytes?” depend on what you are doing:
- Daily baseline: Start with plain water across the day. Add electrolytes if you are naturally lower in salt, on keto, fasting or tend to run low on blood pressure.
- Before training: Sip an electrolyte drink 30 to 60 minutes before long or intense sessions, especially in heat.
- During training: For sessions longer than about 60 minutes, or shorter sessions in high heat[4], use electrolytes in your bottle rather than water alone.
- After training: Use electrolytes to replace what you have lost alongside food and fluid, particularly if your session was long, sweaty or you feel “drained”.
In simple terms, water is the base, electrolytes are the upgrade that helps your body hold onto fluid in the right places and keep your muscles and nerves functioning properly.
Which electrolytes are best and how do I choose a product?
The question “Which electrolytes are best?” really means “What ratio and form should I look for?” A good electrolyte powder or capsule should:
- Provide enough sodium to actually replace sweat losses, not just a token sprinkle.
- Include a meaningful dose of potassium to balance sodium and support nerve and muscle function.
- Add magnesium in an absorbable form such as magnesium malate.
- Be sugar free or very low sugar, with no unnecessary colours or fillers.
- Be manufactured under GMP and BRC standards with third party testing.
Ultimate Electrolytes ticks these boxes, with a 1:1 sodium to potassium ratio and 150 mg magnesium per serving, using Himalayan pink salt and magnesium malate and avoiding added sugar. Electrolyte Balance Capsules offer a capsule-based option for travel, commuting or people who prefer not to use flavoured drinks.
Electrolyte FAQs
What do electrolytes do for your body?
Electrolytes help control fluid balance, nerve signalling and muscle contraction. They influence blood pressure, heart rhythm, performance and how hydrated you feel. When electrolytes are in balance, you can perform and think clearly even when you sweat or are under stress.
How do you tell if you need electrolytes?
Clues include cramps, headaches, dizziness when standing, feeling washed out after sweating, or drinking lots of water yet still feeling thirsty or needing to urinate constantly. If this describes you, especially with training or heat, you may benefit from more electrolytes.
Should I drink electrolytes while on Mounjaro?
Many people on Mounjaro have lower appetite and may forget to drink or eat regular meals. Clean electrolyte drinks can help support fluid balance and blood pressure, especially if you feel light-headed or washed out. Always follow your prescriber’s advice and use electrolytes as a supportive tool, not a treatment.
Is it okay to drink electrolytes daily?
Yes for most healthy people, when you choose a sensible formula and dose. One to two servings of a zero sugar, well balanced electrolyte powder or a serving of capsules alongside a normal diet is appropriate for many active adults. If you have kidney or heart disease, ask your GP first.
What are symptoms of low electrolytes?
Mild low electrolytes can show up as cramps, weakness, fatigue, headaches, dizziness or feeling "off". More serious imbalance can cause confusion, severe weakness or irregular heartbeat and needs urgent medical attention.
What is the best drink for electrolytes?
The best electrolyte drink gives you enough sodium, potassium and magnesium without loading you with sugar or additives. A well formulated electrolyte powder such as Ultimate Electrolytes mixed in water is usually better than sugary sports drinks for everyday use.
What is the best source of electrolytes?
A combination of whole foods and targeted supplements works best. Quality salt, vegetables, fruit, mineral rich water and foods like potatoes and leafy greens provide a base. Electrolyte powder or capsules then top up sodium, potassium and magnesium precisely when you sweat or are under stress.
How do you check your electrolyte levels?
Accurate measurement requires a blood test, arranged by your GP or hospital team. At home, you can only infer from symptoms, sweat loss, diet and how you feel. If you suspect a serious imbalance, seek medical help rather than self treating.
Which electrolytes are best?
Sodium, potassium and magnesium are the key trio for most people. Sodium and potassium handle fluid and nerve signalling, while magnesium supports muscle function and energy production. A product with a sensible sodium to potassium ratio and real magnesium is far more useful than one with trace amounts and lots of sugar.
When should I drink electrolytes?
Use electrolytes before and during long or intense sessions, in hot or humid conditions, and on days when you feel drained despite drinking water. Daily low dose use can also help on keto, fasting or heavy work days.
Is it better to drink water or electrolytes?
Water is the foundation. Electrolytes are most helpful when you are sweating, training, fasting or prone to low blood pressure. Many people do best with mostly plain water plus one or two electrolyte drinks in their higher demand periods.
Do electrolytes help with fatigue?
They can. If fatigue is partly due to under-hydration, low blood pressure or electrolyte loss through sweat, correcting that can improve energy. Fatigue can also have many other causes, so consider sleep, nutrition and stress too.
How does your body feel when it needs electrolytes?
People often describe feeling flat, foggy, headachy or cramp-prone, especially after sweating or long days on their feet. You may crave salt or feel that water goes straight through you without satisfying your thirst.
Is drinking electrolytes daily ok?
Yes if your kidneys are healthy and the product is not loaded with sugar. Think of electrolytes as a way to match your mineral intake to your lifestyle, not something to sip mindlessly all day. One or two servings of a clean electrolyte powder is adequate for most active adults.
What are signs of electrolyte imbalance?
Warning signs include severe weakness, confusion, vomiting, chest pain or irregular heartbeat[3]. This is different from mild cramping or tiredness and needs urgent medical care.
What drink has the most electrolytes?
Some commercial sports drinks have high sodium but also high sugar. A well formulated electrolyte powder can deliver equal or better mineral content without the sugar, which is kinder to teeth, blood sugar and appetite.
Is it worth drinking electrolytes every day?
If you train regularly, live in a warm environment, follow keto or fast often, daily electrolytes can be a valuable habit. If you are mostly sedentary in a cool climate, you may only need them on higher demand days.
Ingredient A–Z reference
For sourcing and testing details on our key minerals, see our Ingredients A–Z entry for Himalayan pink salt, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Malate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavours and Stevia.
Recommended electrolyte stack
- Ultimate Electrolytes – balanced 1:1 sodium to potassium with 150 mg magnesium malate, zero sugar, ideal for daily training and hot days.
- Electrolyte Balance Capsules – convenient capsule option for travel, commuting and people who prefer tablets over flavoured drinks.
- Creavitalis® Creatine Monohydrate Powder – pairs well with electrolytes to support strength, power and repeated efforts when training hard.
Related reading
- What Are Electrolytes? A Beginner’s Guide to Hydration, Balance, and Energy
- Electrolyte Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Supplement for Hydration and Performance
- Sodium and Potassium: The Twin Minerals Behind True Hydration
References
- Popkin BM, D’Anci KE, Rosenberg IH. Water, hydration and health. Nutr Rev. 2010. PubMed
- Sawka MN, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Exercise and fluid replacement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007. PubMed
- Hew-Butler T, et al. Statement of the Third International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference. Clin J Sport Med. 2015. PubMed
- McDermott BP, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active. J Athl Train. 2017. PubMed
- Kenefick RW. Drinking Strategies: Planned Drinking Versus Drinking to Thirst. Sports Med. 2018. PubMed
Accessed and current November 2025.
Clean, effective electrolyte support you can rely on
Electrolytes are not just for elite athletes. They are a simple, powerful way to support energy, hydration and performance in real life. By choosing a clean, tested electrolyte powder or capsule and using it consistently on the days that matter, you can feel the difference in focus, endurance and recovery.
👉 Shop Ultimate Electrolytes Now
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. He is a self-confessed health, fitness and primal living fanatic and a qualified Advanced Dietary Supplement Advisor and Primal Blueprint Certified Expert. Over the last decade, Ben has helped thousands of UK customers optimise performance and recovery with transparent, research-led formulations manufactured to UK GMP and BRC standards. Learn more about Ben.