From Thorne’s Blog

May 25, 2026•Maura MacDonald, MS, RD, CSSD

What are electrolytes and electrolyte beverages?

Electrolyte beverages contain electrically charged minerals – also known as electrolytes – including sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. They are designed to restore fluid levels in the body, support overall muscle function, and improve hydration. These drinks are usually marketed to athletes to replace what is lost through sweat during exercise, like Thorne Advanced Electrolytes. Some formulas target everyday consumers like frequent travelers, people in hot climates, or those looking for a tasty way to increase water intake.

Let’s explore whether an electrolyte supplement or beverage might be suitable for you.

Questions to consider if you are thinking about taking an electrolyte supplement:

1. Do you exercise regularly?

If yes, you might benefit from electrolytes! During exercise, we lose electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride through sweat. The amount you lose depends on your individual sweat rate. Are you a heavy sweater, often looking like you got caught in the rain after a workout? Are you a salty sweater, leaving white streaks on your skin or clothes post-workout? Both are signs that you’re losing fluid and electrolytes to some degree. Best practices for rehydration post-workout include drinking 16-20 ounces of fluid per hour of activity, ideally with electrolytes included in one of those servings.

2. If you exercise regularly, are you normally working out for more than 60 minutes or more than once per day?

If you are exercising for longer periods or multiple times per day, this may indicate the need to include electrolytes in your fueling plan. The more we exercise, the more we sweat, or have the opportunity to sweat. Sweat rates will vary from person to person and depend on the type of activity, whether it is indoors or outdoors, and the temperatures associated with those environments.

3. Do you live and/or work in a warm, humid environment?

Warm, humid environments tend to increase sweat production in individuals, which can accelerate dehydration. Again, the more we sweat, the more electrolytes we are losing through sweat, namely sodium, chloride, and potassium. Even if you are not exercising in an environment that is hot and humid, and you are simply living and working, you could still benefit from an electrolyte solution to help enhance hydration.

4. Are you a frequent traveler?

Dehydration is common among frequent travelers, especially those who fly often. Airplanes operate at high altitudes and have dry cabin air, creating an environment that can increase dehydration if you’re not careful with your planning. Additionally, there is usually limited access to fluids, and not wanting to move around the cabin too much or disturb your seatmates can lead to not drinking enough fluids, and, as you might guess, dehydration. Electrolytes can help enhance hydration, even when traveling, by encouraging you to drink more water. The flavors and salt help your body retain fluids, keeping you hydrated for longer. Aim to drink about eight ounces of water per hour in flight.  

5. Are you looking for additional nutrients alongside the electrolytes?  

Some electrolyte beverages contain the basics – sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium – the electrolytes you lose in sweat. However, some electrolyte beverages contain additional nutrients, such as carbohydrates for energy during activity or energy replenishment post-exercise, B vitamins for cellular energy metabolism, and vitamin C.

Which Thorne electrolyte product should you choose: Advanced Electrolytes or Daily Electrolytes?

Thorne Advanced Electrolytes is tailored for athletes, those with active jobs, or other active

 individuals who are looking for an electrolyte beverage to help them stay hydrated, replace electrolytes and water-soluble vitamins lost in sweat, and improve energy recovery. In addition to the basic electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), Advanced Electrolytes includes water-soluble B vitamins to support energy metabolism and vitamin C for antioxidant support. It also contains fast-acting carbohydrates to promote endurance, support post-exercise recovery, and improve the body’s ability to retain both water and sodium, hydrating you more effectively than water alone. Advanced Electrolytes is available in a great-tasting lemon-lime flavor in a convenient jar format to be able to share with friends and family.   

Thorne Daily Electrolytes is designed to support both athletes and non-athletes on a daily basis. It provides all the electrolytes to effectively restores optimal fluid balance and hydration and benefits cellular energy production.* Daily Electrolytes is available in a low-calorie and no-sugar formula in convenient, single-serve packaging with several flavor options.

Both of Thorne’s electrolyte products are NSF Certified for Sport^®, so you can be assured that they are free from the almost 300 substances banned by major athletic organizations.  

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