Bite Me Nutrition

Episode 118: Do you really need electrolytes?

Jonathan Steedman, APD Season 1 Episode 118

I’ve been noticing electrolyte supplements popping up everywhere lately, so I wanted to chat about them. There’s a lot of hype, but also a fair bit of misunderstanding. Most people don’t actually need electrolyte powders or fancy drinks, if you’ve got a balanced diet and you’re drinking enough fluids, you’re usually covered.

Where things can go wrong is when people overdo it, especially with sodium. That can actually cause more harm than good.

Now, I’m not saying electrolytes are useless. There are definitely times when they make sense, like if you’re doing long, sweaty workouts, spending hours in the heat, or you’ve got higher needs for medical reasons. But for the general population? You’re probably fine without them.

Bottom line: before you jump on the supplement bandwagon, take a step back and think about whether you really need it.

Time Stamps:

00:00 The Rise of Electrolyte Supplements

05:11 Potential Risks of Excessive Sodium Intake


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