Alongside the protein boom, where every food product advertises just how much protein it has, we’ve also experienced a hydration boom.
What started with WaterTok has become a whole viral industry, with internet users sharing their hydration recipes and companies advertising products that claim to make you more hydrated than water alone.
But are these products really making you more hydrated? And does that extra hydration come with side effects? One user says they do—and now, she’s issuing a warning.
What’s Wrong With Electrolyte Drinks?
In a video with over 3 million views, TikTok user Athena Reavis (@theestiebestie) says she recently went for a routine checkup. During her visit, she was told that her kidney function had dropped substantially. In the overlay text, she says her kidney function had decreased by 30 percent.
The reason, she says, is electrolyte beverages.
“My doctor very specifically told me that she’s seeing this trend among … older millennials like me — because we’re so focused on being hydrated and we’re using electrolytes daily in our waters when we’re actually not sweating,” she starts.
“Our body doesn’t need them daily,” she says of electrolyte drinks. “We’re literally slowly killing our kidney function because it’s a lot of stress on our kidneys.”
She adds that one likely does not need to take an electrolyte supplement unless they’ve been sweating substantially.
“I see a lot of children using these. I am guilty myself of giving these to my son on really, really hot days in the summer, and also encouraging him to ‘stay hydrated today for tomorrow,’” she explains. “And now I’m just terrified of the electrolyte drinks.”
Should You Be Scared Of Electrolyte Drinks?
In general, Reavis is correct that one should not feel the need to consume electrolyte beverages every day.
As noted by Harvard’s The Nutrition Source, performance athletes who train regularly may benefit from hydration beverages. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions, such as POTS, may find such beverages advantageous. However, those who only exercise moderately are likely fine with just water.
Furthermore, electrolytes don’t need to be replaced with hydration drinks. The site notes that one can safely replenish their electrolytes after a workout by eating a balanced meal or a healthy snack.
Are Electrolyte Drinks Causing a Rise in Kidney Issues?
Even if these drinks aren’t especially useful for most people, Reavis’ video seemed to imply that they could be dangerous. Could they?
There’s not a lot of evidence to suggest this is the case. While excessive electrolyte intake can cause kidney issues, a single packet of an electrolyte mix in addition to everyday food is likely not enough to cause the issues described in her video.
For the company’s part, it says on its website that the drink should not be consumed more than once per day.
But what about kidney issues?
It’s true that there’s been a noticeable rise in chronic kidney disease in recent years, even amongst younger people. However, experts believe this to be linked to diabetes, not electrolyte beverages.
In short, if you have concerns about using electrolyte packets, you should consult with a doctor. However, most people should be able to have a single packet per day and not face any major side effects.
@theestiebestie Electrolytes and liquidIV is NOT helping you stay hydrated daily. Literally scared the ? out of myself when I learned what was doing to my body- thinking I was helping. #liquidiv #electrolytes #sportsparents ♬ original sound – The Estie Bestie
Commenters Aren’t Buying It
In the comments section, users voiced their opinion that, while the TikToker’s issues may be real, they weren’t sure if hydration products were to blame.
“My husband is a kidney Dr and always says people shouldn’t over hydrate. If you’re thirsty , you will drink,” wrote a commenter.
“Wait why are we taking liquid IV every day?” questioned another. “The amount of sodium and sugar in the packets is a clear indicator this shouldn’t be consumed regularly.”
That said, some insisted that such products were to blame for kidney issues.
“I have an elderly family member who drank liquid IV and Gatorade on a daily basis to ‘stay hydrated’ and he had to be hospitalized for a week with severe kidney and liver damage. He did recover and his levels went back to normal but it took months,” detailed a commenter.
The Mary Sue reached out to Liquid I.V. via email and Reavis via Instagram direct message and email.
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