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Diet and Nutrition

Water vs. Electrolyte Drinks: When to Choose Which

Sometimes, people reach for pricy electrolyte drinks when regular water would do just fine.

Marisa Taylor KarasMera Goodman, MD, FAAP
Written by Marisa Taylor Karas | Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP
Updated on January 25, 2024
Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP | January 24, 2024

Electrolyte drinks combine water and electrolytes, including sodium. Many people like to drink them daily instead of water, but that may not always be necessary. In fact, electrolyte drinks are often high in sugar, so it’s not recommended to drink them when you don’t need to.

In this video, learn when it’s appropriate to choose an electrolyte drink instead of water.

References

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Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.
Dr. Mera Goodman is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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