Ever feel drained halfway through a workout (or worse, halfway through your day)? It might be your electrolyte balance calling for help.
Electrolyte powders, tablets, and ready-to-drink beverages are having a moment (and not just among hardcore athletes). Whether you’re hitting the gym or an afternoon slump, these mineral-rich sips promise better energy and recovery. But it’s not just about electrolytes – it’s about what else is in the scoop.
Luckily, there are plenty of clean electrolyte powder formulas available on the market that boost hydration without containing harmful ingredients. So, how do you find electrolytes that support your health and performance (without compromising on clean)? Here’s a roundup of the best clean electrolyte powder products (and a few standout alternatives) to help you recover and perform without harmful additives.
Electrolytes: the secret ingredient to unlocking your full potential
Electrolytes have come into the fitness world in full force, helping to keep athletes (and people who simply enjoy a good workout) hydrated, but what are they? The long answer made short: electrolytes are minerals that possess an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids or water. They help the body maintain hydration, keep the muscles working, and support energy levels and nerve function.
The main electrolytes in the body are calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. When these mineral levels are thrown off-kilter, electrolyte products can aid in restoring balance and keeping the body functioning at its peak performance. Electrolyte powders can be a game-changer for athletic performance, recovery, and staying hydrated.
Why are electrolytes important? The key to bettering your performance
Electrolytes are essential for regulating fluid balance so the body can function properly. They aid in moving nutrients into and eliminating waste from cells, as well as supporting muscle and nerve function, blood pressure, bones, and teeth.
The importance of electrolyte balance isn’t exclusive to exercise—out-of-balance electrolytes can also lead to frustrating symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps. When mineral levels are off, electrolyte powders and products are a great tool to restore balance and feel your best again.
Helpful or harmful? Avoid these ingredients in electrolyte products
While electrolyte powders can be extremely beneficial for improving hydration, many of these products contain questionable additives like fluoride, artificial colors and flavors, food additives, PFAs, and sucralose.
An independent test by Mamavation revealed detectable levels of PFA indicators (like fluorine) in nine popular electrolyte powders. PFAs, known as “forever chemicals”, have been linked to elevated risks of cancer and birth defects. Although some electrolyte powders may contain these potentially toxic ingredients, fortunately, there are also many clean electrolyte powder products available to shop instead.
The best clean electrolyte powder (& more) to maximize your health
There are countless electrolyte products on the market, but many of them contain unnecessary ingredients. Whether you’re training hard or just trying to fight brain fog, here’s a roundup of the best clean electrolyte powder options to fuel your body (without harmful additives).
Trace Minerals Research Electrolyte Stamina PowerPak Watermelon
Trace Minerals’ electrolyte powder offers vital nutrient support to improve energy, hydration, immunity, and stamina. With 1,200 mg of Vitamin C and 19 vitamins and minerals, this clean electrolyte powder is naturally flavored and packed with ingredients that refresh and replenish your body. It comes in single-serving packets that are perfect for on-the-go, quickly adding a full spectrum of ionic trace minerals to any drink. Trace Mineral’s electrolyte powder is gluten-free, BPA-free, vegan, and known allergen-free. This electrolyte boost powder also comes in other refreshing flavors like guava passion fruit, cherry lime, orange blast, and concord grape.
Pirq Electrolyte Drink Mix – Hydration Powder Packets Fruit Punch
This drink mix from Pirq is loaded with replenishing electrolytes, anti-inflammatory curcumin, and energizing B vitamins to support digestion, balance pH levels, and boost cellular and muscle function. It has 0g of sugar, 5 calories, 1g of carbs, and is non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, keto, and vegan. If fruit punch isn’t your go-to flavor, they offer other energizing options like lemon lime, peach tea, watermelon, and orange.
Cure Hydration Hydrating Electrolyte Drink Mix Lime
Cure Hydration’s clean electrolyte powder offers advanced plant-based hydration without the use of added sugar or artificial ingredients. It’s non-GMO, paleo-friendly, kosher, and made without gluten, sugar alcohols, added sugar, egg, peanut, milk, soy, wheat, sesame, shellfish allergens, fish, or synthetic flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, colors, and dyes. Cure Hydration created this clean electrolyte powder specifically based on the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution to make a true impact on hydration levels. In addition to lime, they offer other flavors like ginger turmeric, watermelon, lemonade, strawberry kiwi, berry pomegranate, grapefruit, and even a variety pack.
Trace Minerals Research Keto Electrolyte Drops
Although these electrolytes don’t come in powder form, they still earn a spot on the list for their unique formula. These full-spectrum electrolytes are ideal for anyone on the keto diet to restore electrolyte balance and combat dehydration and muscle cramps (which are common symptoms of the “keto flu”). These electrolyte drops are gluten-free and allergen-free, and are enriched with beneficial ingredients like magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride.
SoWell Electrolytes – GLP-1 Lemon Water
SoWell’s daily electrolyte blend is specifically formulated for GLP-1 users to help with nausea, energy levels, hydration, cognitive function, nerve and muscle function, and fatigue. It’s fortified with vitamin B6, essential electrolytes, evaporated coconut water, and trace mineral extract to help GLP-1 users feel their best amidst common side effects. This vegan electrolyte powder is also keto, sugar-free, and physician-formulated without any artificial ingredients, gluten, or GMOs.
Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Powder Grape
Made with 6 essential electrolytes, organic sweetener, and 0g of carbs or sugar, this 0-calorie electrolyte mix is packed with vitamin C and magnesium to combat the afternoon slumps that come with low electrolyte levels. It’s non-GMO, caffeine-free, gluten-free, keto-friendly, vegan, artificial sweetener-free, and formulated with plant-based flavors and colors for an electrolyte boost without any questionable additives. Along with grape, Ultima also has other thirst-quenching flavors like lemonade and raspberry.
Trace Minerals Research Electrolyte Stamina Gummies Watermelon
If gummies are more your style than drink mixes, try Trace Minerals’ electrolyte gummies in watermelon or lemon lime. They’re formulated for maximum absorption to restore depleted electrolytes and improve endurance, energy, hydration, and muscle stamina while fighting muscle cramps and brain fog. These gummies are gluten-free, gelatin-free, and vegan for a guilt-free hydration boost.
Recess Mood Sticks Unflavored
Recess’ three-in-one drink mix is made with electrolytes, magnesium, and adaptogens to aid in relaxation, balance moods, and promote hydration. Formulated with magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, and electrolytes, this flavorless drink mix is the perfect way to wind down while restoring mineral balance for a next-level state of calm.
Ultima Replenisher Mocktini Electrolyte Drink Mix Packs Variety
Revamp your mocktails with Ultima’s Mocktini electrolyte drink mix packs. Made with 6 essential electrolytes, this sugar-free, calorie-free, and carb-free clean electrolyte powder is designed to help you feel your best by upping your hydration levels. It’s made without any artificial sweeteners, caffeine, or GMOs and is keto-friendly, plant-based, and packed with vitamin C and magnesium. Enjoy a strawberry margarita, pina colada, peach bellini, or cranberry cosmo (without the hangover).