Intro

This chapter delves into the rising popularity of electrolyte supplements and their role in hydration and athletic performance. It highlights the fine line between necessity and overconsumption, particularly for those with moderate activity levels, while emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet.

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Over the past few years, you might have heard advertisements in your podcast feed or on social media for electrolyte supplements.

If you haven’t seen them, they’re basically these little sachets or tubs that get mixed in with water as a drink.

News media reports demand for such products is exploding – with the market for electrolyte supplements set to grow to 112 billion dollars by 2030, more than doubling in size in less than a decade.

They go by a bunch of different names … and their marketing often suggests we could all use more electrolytes in our life.

But what’s the science on this swing towards salty beverages? Who actually needs them? And what does our obsession with optimised hydration … say about us?

Guests:

Dr Alan McCubbin

Senior Teaching Fellow, Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food, Monash University; Accredited Sports Dietitian

Dr Colleen Derkatch

Professor of Rhetoric, English Department, Toronto Metropolitan University; Author, Why Wellness Sells

Jay Clark

Athlete and fitness coach

Dan Newton

Athlete and fitness coach

Credits: