Health Farm

-- Electrolytes not as helpful as we’ve been led to believe

The global market for sports drinks is worth USD $22.37 billion.

But new research casts serious doubt on the value of electrolyte replacement sports drinks.

Researchers have discovered that athletes cannot rely on electrolyte sports drinks to keep essential salt levels in balance and prevent illness during and after their race.

The main problem is sodium concentration

Research linked electrolyte drinks with lowered sodium concentration in exercising athletes.

Data collected from 61 female and 205 male athletes at the beginning and end of a 50-mile race showed a link between electrolyte solutions and exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) – a condition characterised by lowered sodium levels in the body, leading to altered mental status, seizures, pulmonary oedema, and even death.

As they raced, some athletes took salt tablets every hour and others drank electrolytes from a bottle. Ninety-eight runners competed in temperatures that averaged over 93 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degree Celsius).

Analysis showed that 41 athletes had sodium imbalances by the end of the race: 11 were found to have EAH due to too little sodium, and 30 were dehydrated, with too much sodium in their blood.

Some 88% of the sodium imbalances recorded occurred during the hot races, leading study authors to conclude that heat and hydration levels were better predictors of sodium imbalances than either the manner or type of electrolyte supplements consumed.

Lead author Dr. Grant Lipman said the takeaway from the study is to listen to your body, no matter what sport you are participating in, and particularly pay attention in the heat.

“Drink when you are thirsty. Don’t have a schedule based on time or mileage,” he said. “Just drinking electrolytes isn’t going to protect you from high or low salt levels – you need to eat salty food as well.”