Gen Z is always eager for a new trend.
Electrolytes are the latest craze to grab TikTok’s attention, with hundreds of “recipes” appearing on the platform.
Electrolytes – such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium – are the minerals in your blood that essentially help keep everything in your body balanced.
You lose electrolytes when you sweat or are sick, and replenishing them often comes in the form of a powder packet or sports drink.
But now, Gen Z feels like they need electrolytes on a regular basis, claiming water isn’t “enough.”
“You’re not hydrating properly,” one armchair fitness TikTokker boldly told his viewers.
“You think by drinking water you’re hydrating, but when you work out in the gym and drink regular water … you sweat out all your essential electrolytes,” he explained.
But it’s not just gym-goers who are recommending the products – one user declared electrolyte water “the new morning coffee”.
The video shows the user drinking her water with an electrolyte tablet first thing in the morning, and one commenter agreed, writing: “Changing electrolytes first thing changes my lifeeeee!”
However, another commenter pointed out that electrolytes are not necessary to have every day.
“You don’t need electrolytes unless you lose a lot of water, such as sweating a lot from intense exercise or vomiting, diarrhea, or fever,” they wrote—and experts agree.
Edward Mather, a nutritionist at Fuel Hub, told the Daily Mail that although electrolytes have gained popularity due to “an increasing focus on hydration”, they are not for everyone and are not only necessary to keep yourself hydrated.
“The point at which electrolyte supplementation becomes necessary is if the individual participates in prolonged or intense exercise, lives in a hot climate, or has a disease where fluid is lost from the body,” he explained.
“For most people, drinking water throughout the day is enough to meet their hydration needs. This is based on the assumption that they consume a balanced diet containing electrolyte-rich foods and participate in light physical activity.
He noted that electrolytes play an important role in fluid balance, supporting nerve and muscle function, and regulating physiological processes.
And the research interest in electrolyte drinks on TikTok is in line with research from earlier this year: The global market for electrolyte mixes went from $36.56 billion in 2023 to $40.32 billion in 2024.
The electrolyte love on social media likely stems from the “sexy water” trend as Zoomers rebrand everyday habits and look for the coolest way to stay hydrated.
Sex water can include powders, minerals, lemon and other practical elements.
While electrolytes can be a good addition to your daily routine if needed, be sure not to get caught up in fads — do what’s best for your individual body and well-being, experts say.
“Too many electrolytes can be just as harmful as too little, so moderation and balance are key,” nutritionist Riya Lakhani-Kanji told Vogue.
“Strong endurance athletes may be more liberal when it comes to electrolyte drinks that are high in sodium, but the average individual does not need more sodium, especially if their diet is high in ultra-processed foods.” , Rhian Stephenson added. , founder of the holistic site Artah, which offers its own electrolytic powder, Cellular Hydration.
Those with medical conditions that may affect the body’s ability to properly balance minerals should also exercise caution before drinking electrolytes.
However, adding electrolytes isn’t such a bad idea if you’re someone who already drinks a lot of water.
“If you drink too much water, you dilute those electrolytes and that can be a real problem,” Dr. Isaac Dapkins, chief medical officer at NYU Langone Family Health Centers.
With too much intake, it can get to a point where your body doesn’t have enough electrolytes to produce urine and release that water, which can lead to a drop in sodium levels and a “really bad” feeling. .
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Image Source : nypost.com