Electrolytes, explained
Electrolytes are minerals - sodium, potassium, magnesium and others - that your body uses to stay hydrated and function normally. Most people get the idea they need them, but the market has split into sugary sports drinks and very high-sodium "race day" mixes. This guide explains what electrolytes do and how much you actually need day to day.
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals that carry a small electric charge when dissolved in water. The main ones in hydration products are sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride. Your body uses them to manage fluid balance and normal muscle and nerve function - everyday background processes, not just workout ones.
Full explainer: What do electrolytes actually do?
How much sodium do you actually need?
This is where the market gets strange. Some popular mixes pack around 1,000mg of sodium per serve - an amount built for heavy, prolonged sweating, like endurance racing. For an ordinary day at a desk or around the house, that's far more than most people need. More sodium isn't automatically better.
The full breakdown: How much sodium do you actually need?
Why Fluence uses 250mg
We built Base 250 around a moderate 250mg of sodium (matched with 250mg of potassium), because it's designed to be drunk every day - not just on race day. It's balanced to top you up without overdoing it. We explain the reasoning in full.
The reasoning: Why we chose 250mg
Electrolytes vs water - when do you need them?
Plain water is enough most of the time. Electrolytes earn their place around heat, exercise, big fluid losses, or long days when you're drinking a lot of water and want to keep minerals topped up.
Electrolytes vs water: when plain water isn't enough
What about sugar?
Many electrolyte and sports drinks carry significant sugar. Base 250 has zero. We cover how to read an electrolyte label so you know what you're actually getting.
Zero-sugar electrolytes: how to read the label
Where Fluence fits
Fluence Base 250 is an everyday electrolyte drink mix: 250mg sodium, 250mg potassium, 60mg magnesium, vitamin C, zero sugar, in a 6g sachet. It also releases molecular hydrogen as it dissolves. Three flavours, Australian owned.
- What do electrolytes actually do?
- How much sodium do you actually need in a day?
- Why we chose 250mg
- Electrolytes vs water: when plain water isn't enough
- Zero-sugar electrolytes: how to read the label
- Every day or only when you sweat?
- Electrolyte FAQ