Electrolyte drinks for dehydration?

[NaePasaran]

Pointless and a marketing gimmick or are they needed?

Waking up every morning with a banging headache, dry mouth, sick feeling etc. Basically feels like severe dehydration even though I feel i'm drinking lots of water throughout the day (tap water granted).

Listening to some podcasts, they all seem to be plugging LMNT sachets (https://www.amazon.co.uk/LMNT-Electrolyte-Artificial-Ingredients-Watermelon/dp/B08ZJQ1XD4/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=lmnt%2Belectrolytes&qid=1695891727&sr=8-6&th=1) which are about £1.50 a sachet/drink.

On the flipside of that a well known online supplement store (https://www.bulk.com/uk/electrolyte-powder.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInbq5rPnMgQMVxd_tCh30TAK4EAAYASAAEgLmzPD_BwE) sells a bag of Electrolyte powder which works out at 3p a serving.

Is there a difference between the two? And more importantly I guess, are they needed or is water on its own ok? I am pretty active and do sweat a bit if that makes a difference...

Thanks *thumbs up*

[Gweeds]

Nothing wrong with tap water and something like SIS tablets are more than fine.

Every day waking up with those symptoms though. Something is off.

[lufbramatt]

The Bulk powder is fine. I use it for cycling and running. I sweat quite a lot and it definitely helps stave off fatigue and cramps. The fancy stuff is the same salts in more expensive packaging.

[Bill]

Gweeds said:

Every day waking up with those symptoms though. Something is off.

In the absence of other factors (10 pints of Guinness the night before, say...) I'd have a word with a GP.

ETA could be diabetes.

Edited by Bill on Thursday 28th September 12:21

[Bullybutt]

I’d say go get bloods done, classic diabetic symptoms. If you’re drinking plenty you shouldn’t feel dehydrated, those drinks will only help if you are deficient in the extra minerals after a sickness bug etc

[C5_Steve]

Bill said:

Gweeds said:

Every day waking up with those symptoms though. Something is off.

In the absence of other factors (10 pints of Guinness the night before, say...) I'd have a word with a GP.

ETA could be diabetes.

Edited by Bill on Thursday 28th September 12:21

Yeah as others have said if you're waking up like that on a normal day, seek medical opinions. Drinks containing electrolytes etc marketed for their hydration do work (if they have the right stuff in them) but that just gets you're body to absorb the water quicker there and then which is why their aimed at exercise when you'd be losing water faster than usual. It's not a long-term effect.

If you're already drinking enough water and still feeling like that then there's something amiss.

[NaePasaran]

Interesting - thanks guys. Diabetes has been known to run in the family so probably should get blood tests done. A quick google shows some pharmacies do it so will enquire locally (getting an appointment at GP surgery being almost impossible).