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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 KarasBrian Clista, MD
Written by Marisa Taylor Karas | Reviewed by Brian Clista, MD
Updated on January 15, 2026
Reviewed by Brian Clista, MD | January 15, 2026

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.
Brian Clista, MD
Reviewed by:
Brian Clista, MD
Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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