The hidden danger of your ‘hydrating’ electrolyte drink: It’s soared in popularity, but now experts warn it could cause serious harm… and it’s all because of one ingredient

Electrolyte drinks were once primarily reserved for athletes recovering from grueling workouts, but they have now become a must-have health accessory.

Millions of people now drink brightly colored drinks or add electrolyte powders to their water, convinced it’s a healthier and more effective way to stay hydrated.

But now experts are warning that this supposedly healthy habit may have an unexpected downside.

Many electrolyte products contain significant amounts of sodium, the main component of salt, which when consumed in excess can increase blood pressure and potentially damage the kidneys over time.

And the people most at risk may not even know they are vulnerable.

It is estimated that more than one in seven American adults have chronic kidney disease, and nine in ten of those people don’t know they have it. Meanwhile, about one in six Americans with high blood pressure are unaware they have the disease, which is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Some of the most popular electrolyte foods can also contain surprisingly high amounts of sodium.

One packet of Liquid IV, designed to be mixed with 16 ounces of water, contains about 500 mg of sodium. That’s about three times as much as a one-ounce serving of Lay’s Classic potato chips, or about 45 chips.

Millions of people now use electrolytes as part of their daily routine in the belief that they will improve hydration levels.

Other products contain even more. A sachet of LMNT contains 1,000 mg of sodium—almost half the daily recommended value in one drink.

Americans already consume an average of about 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day, nearly 50 percent more than the recommended daily allowance of 2,300 milligrams, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

This means that adding a drink high in sodium electrolytes to an already salt-rich diet can increase your salt intake to dangerous levels.

Kidney disease expert Professor Simon Davies, from Keele University in the UK, says: ‘Just as people shouldn’t have too much sodium in their diet, I would advise caution with drinks containing electrolytes.

“The danger is that drinking too much of the drink every day can increase your blood pressure, which can lead to kidney damage.

“Damaged kidneys are not as effective at removing excess salt, so blood pressure rises even higher and the kidneys become even more damaged – and so on and so forth, creating a vicious circle.

“The worst part is that people may not realize the damage has been done until the problems have reached a serious stage.”

Electrolyte drinks were originally developed for a specific purpose—replenishing fluids and minerals lost during strenuous exercise or bouts of illness accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea.

However, today, thanks to celebrity endorsements and their promotion as a daily health option, they have firmly entered the mainstream.

They are now widely available in grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations and pharmacies, both in prepared form and in the form of tablets and packets of water-soluble powder.

Professor Davis says: “The marketing suggests we need these drinks to stay hydrated. But we managed to survive on the planet for a very long time without them. Most people just don’t need them.”

However, for those who need them, they are effective.

Electrolytes are minerals that carry a tiny electrical charge when dissolved in the blood and other body fluids and are vital for the proper functioning of muscle cells, the heart and the brain. They also play an important role in helping the body maintain fluid balance.

But for people with kidney disease, consuming extra sodium can be especially problematic.

The National Kidney Foundation warns that when the kidneys don’t work properly, too much sodium can lead to fluid buildup, swelling and increased blood pressure, as well as putting extra strain on the heart.

Many adults with chronic kidney disease are advised to consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, although the exact limit varies by person and the severity of their condition.

Electrolyte drinks were originally developed to replace salts and fluids lost by athletes during long, strenuous workouts or by people suffering from illnesses including vomiting or diarrhea.

And sodium isn’t the only electrolyte that can cause problems. Potassium is also found in some electrolytes and sports drinks, and people with later stages of kidney disease may have difficulty removing excess potassium from the blood. In severe cases, dangerously high potassium levels can cause serious heart problems.

High blood pressure itself can lead to further damage to the kidneys’ fragile blood vessels, creating the vicious cycle described by Professor Davis.

And the problem may remain hidden for years.

High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer” because it usually causes no obvious symptoms and damages vital organs, affects nearly half of the U.S. adult population—about 120 million people.

Compounding the problem, many Americans have little idea how much sodium they already consume.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 70 percent of the sodium in the average American’s diet comes from packaged, prepared and restaurant foods, not from salt deliberately added during food preparation or at the table.

This means that even people who rarely reach for a salt shaker may be unknowingly consuming large amounts of sodium before adding an electrolyte drink to their daily routine.

However, in some cases, electrolyte drinks may be helpful.

Professor Davis explains: “Strong exercise, such as running a marathon or high-intensity gym workouts, can cause you to lose a lot of salt through sweat. This may lead to seizures, dizziness, or fainting due to a drop in blood pressure.

“Someone may also lose a lot of salt if they are very sick or have severe diarrhea. In these cases, it makes sense to drink an electrolyte drink.”

However, for most people going about their day, plain water is all that is required to stay hydrated.

And rather than relying on potassium, calcium and magnesium drinks and supplements, Professor Davis says it’s best to get these minerals through a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.

He says: “There is no argument for taking electrolyte drinks every day.

“Many people use them as a means to improve their health, but there is no evidence that they provide any health benefits at all. The best you can say is that for most people these drinks won’t do any harm – provided they have good enough kidney function to handle them.”