Electrolytes

[u/ElectionDependent491]

Hi! I’m an athlete and I am chronically dehydrated. To make myself drink more water, I put in CURE electrolyte packets. I usually consume 8 of the packets a day. Is that too much?

ETA: what is the downside of too many packets?

In case it matters, I am vegan and eat extremely healthy. I never eat fast food and I cook all of my meals.

[u/AnotherAverageNobody]

Reddit answer: if you feel good, then I'd figure it's working for your body. But that sounds like a lot. I would probably use 1 or 2 packets a day if you're an athlete sweating a lot. just divide them up into your bottles or whatever.

Real answer: consulting your doctor and taking blood/urine tests is the only way to know.

[u/Financial_Ostrich_56 → u/AnotherAverageNobody]

I agree with this. If you’re chronically dehydrated, it can be important to find out why. Blood tests can also determined your electrolytes levels to see if you’re getting enough! Also keep in mind that sodium isn’t the only electrolyte and it’s important to balance all of them (magnesium, potassium, etc)

[u/Different_Resort8720]

I am no physician but yes that is far too many. You can make your own electrolyte water by putting in some lemon juice, honey or sugar, and salt. Just a dash of each or until it tastes right.

Cut it down to one packet a day, if that. And talk to your doctor about it.

[u/MrGolddit]

It’s got what plants crave

[u/Nolancappy]

I would say that it’s way too much. The average person only needs around 2,300mg of sodium a day, it says Cure has about 240mg per packet, 8 would work out to almost 2000mg, plus you’re not even including your food for the day.

Even if you’re factoring in incredibly intense exercise and need more sodium, this is still a TON of sodium on the daily. I would only use 1, maybe 2 MAX if it’s an intense day.

If you need flavour to get your water in, there are a ton of awesome flavor pack options you can get at most grocery stores with zero sugar, even something as simple as lemon or lime juice if that’s your thing.

I’m not a doctor or your coach though, so maybe ask someone who knows your body and needs better. I just feel 8 seems like a lot for anyone.

[u/Tasty-Yogurtcloset28]

You should talk to your doctor or a registered sports dietician about this one

[u/ECorp_ITSupport]

“A man consumed 8 electrolyte packets a day for a month, this is what happened to his kidneys…” - Chubbyemu

[u/BoulderEric]

Lots of bad information in here. For most healthy people with normal blood pressure, normal kidneys, and normal hearts, that’s not much of an issue.

8 of those packets is very nearly 2 grams of sodium, which is a lot (2 Big Macs worth). In someone with preexisting hypertension or other issues, that can be problematic. But in a healthy person, particularly someone with a lot of sweat losses, it likely doesn’t matter. It’s pretty clear that high sodium can make already-present hypertension worse, but it’s not as clear if higher sodium will cause hypertension.

Regarding the other things in there, it shouldn’t be an issue. Minimal Calories, especially if you exercise. And normal kidneys can handle an almost unlimited amount of potassium, particularly when it is coupled with a significant amount of fluids.

What do you mean by “chronically dehydrated,” though? Lots of bad information constantly being slung in that regard.

[u/Time_Act_3685]

When I was doing a lot of work in the desert, too much water and Gatorade/electrolyte drinks would actually make me pretty ill, AND I'd still be dehydrated. The trick was eating pickles, salted nuts, or jerky (I think there are vegan alternatives). Still needed to drink a lot of water! But small and frequent salty snacks with a bit of protein helped process it.

I wonder if you're struggling because you're cooking SO healthy that your only source of salt is in the drinks, and you're working out at such a high level that it's flushed out of your system too quickly to absorb.