Should You Consume Electrolytes When You Are Not Working Out?

Whenever you speak about electrolytes or sports drinks, you automatically associate them with sports and working out. But does that mean electrolytes should only be consumed while working out? Are there other instances where consuming electrolytes is essential? Let’s find out.

The Trifecta: Sweating, Body Temperature and Electrolytes

When your core body temperature rises, the sweating mechanism of the body is activated. Sweating is the body’s way of keeping its temperature within a safe range. Now as you sweat, you begin to lose fluids as well as electrolytes which form part of your sweat. If you do not replenish your electrolytes, it could lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, affect your sporting performance and even lead to severe conditions such as heart palpitations.

The Real Connection: Sweat, Not Sport

This basically means that loss of electrolytes isn’t purely connected to sports but is rather connected to sweating. We need to rethink the connection our brain automatically makes between sports and electrolytes. Instead, we should be connecting sweating and electrolytes which makes answering the prime question much easier.

With that being said, let’s think about the instances when we sweat?

• In hot and humid conditions: If the weather around you is warm, your body temperature too will rise causing you to sweat.

• While doing any activity that isn’t intended to be a workout: Something as simple as walking to your office or taking the staircase may not be a dedicated workout, but could still raise your body temperature leading to sweating.

A combination of both is when you will begin sweating quite a bit and will need to rehydrate with electrolytes.

Our suggestion?

• Hot or humid day outdoors: Mix 1 sachet in of electrolytes in 500ml of chilled water and sip it throughout the time you are outside. Have another if you're out for more than 2 hours.
• Incidental activity (commuting, errands, walking): 1 sachet of electrolytes mixed in 400 - 500ml of chilled water mid-morning or mid-afternoon is enough to keep your electrolyte levels stable.
• General daily maintenance: On days that are particularly warm or when you know you've been sweating through the day, 1 - 2 sachets of electrolytes spread across the day will do the job.

From an endurance sports perspective, you won’t just consume electrolytes during and after a race. It is crucial that you begin hydrating with electrolytes at least a day before your race. This could be another instance where you should consume electrolytes when you are not working out but rather preparing for a race.

For your hydration before a race, here is what we would suggest:

Starting well hydrated is always the smarter move. Going into a race with your electrolyte reserves already topped up means you're less likely to hit early fatigue or cramps when it matters most.

To get there, pay extra attention to your hydration a full day before race day. Apart from your regular fluid intake, mix 1 - 2 sachets of Ascend Electrolytes into 500 - 1000ml of chilled water and sip this throughout the day in small, consistent amounts, not all at once. This steady replenishment of salts ensures you toe the start line already ahead of the game.