While the expert says it is good for you in certain circumstances, you don’t have to drink it all the time.
Hundreds of ‘health’ drinks and products are advertised to us everywhere, whether on social media, TV or in supermarkets. But Tim Spector has shared his advice on a certain tipple that he says ‘you don’t have to drink every day to be healthy’, despite it often being marketed to us as a ‘health drink’.
The nutritionist is one of the top 100 cited scientists in the world, and he recently took to Instagram to share his advice on the health benefits of electrolytes. Spector boasts an impressive following of over 693K on Instagram, where he regularly shares health advice and busts health food myths.
In a recent video on his Instagram page, the nutritionist discussed electrolyte water, and the situations in which you should be drinking it. He said in the video’s caption: “Electrolyte water and electrolyte drinks have grown in popularity.”
Electrolytes are charged minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium that our bodies use to maintain fluid balance, support nerve function, and regulate muscle contractions such as our heartbeats.
Spector said: “In short, you can’t survive without them. But that doesn’t mean you need to drink them every day.”
The expert then explained that we can get our electrolytes from our diet. Healthline explains that foods such as spinach, kale, avocados, broccoli, potatoes, beans, as well as many fruits and nuts can replenish our electrolytes.
Spector advised against commercial electrolyte drinks. These are sometimes marketed as sports drinks such as Powerade, Gatorade and Lucozade Sport, or other ‘health’ drinks.
He said: “Many commercial “electrolyte” drinks or powders are ultra-processed and packed with additives, colourants, or excess sodium—offering little benefit and, in some cases, potential harm, especially if you have high blood pressure or kidney issues.”
He explained that you only really need to drink electrolyte water or drinks in a few specific situations.
Spector said: “Unless you’ve been vomiting, had diarrhoea, or exercised intensely in the heat for over an hour, your body—particularly your kidneys—does an excellent job of maintaining electrolyte balance on its own.
“This is regulated by hormonal signals like aldosterone, which tells your kidneys when to hold onto sodium or let it go.
“When you experience a bout of vomiting or diarrhoea, you’ll lose a lot of water and electrolytes. Electrolyte drinks can be useful here because you may not feel like eating and your body needs its electrolytes and water replenished.
“If you’ve developed heat stroke, drinking electrolytes is often part of the treatment.”
The scientist concluded by emphasising that it’s not necessary to drink electrolyte water all the time.
He finished: “So no, you don’t need to sip salt water or a package of electrolytes every morning to be healthy.
“If you do need to rehydrate fast, a homemade solution of water, salt, and sugar will do just fine.”
