How to Choose Electrolyte Packets and Why ORS Is the Best Choice

Electrolytes are charged minerals that your body needs to perform properly. We get electrolytes from foods and beverages, but sometimes, we don’t get enough of the electrolytes we need. These imbalances can cause conditions such as dehydration that make it difficult to function when we’re working in hot conditions or enjoying the great outdoors.

Whether you’re looking for the best options for sports, nutrition, staying healthy while working outdoors, or general ways to stay hydrated, not all beverages are the same. Here, we’ll show you why oral rehydration solutions like DripDrop ORS are the best option when it comes to electrolyte packets. You’ll learn what to look for in electrolyte drinks and find out why sports drinks and water aren’t a good choice for dehydration.

Why Electrolytes Matter

Your body needs essential electrolytes — like sodium, potassium, and magnesium — in order to function properly. Electrolytes play a key role in muscle function, brain function, and blood circulation. They’re critical for maintaining proper blood pH, sending signals to nerves and cells, and maintaining healthy fluid levels throughout your body.

Sometimes, we experience an electrolyte imbalance when we lose more fluid than we can replace. This can occur when we work outside in hot temperatures or when we’re sick. That’s because we lose electrolytes when we sweat or experience diarrhea or vomiting due to illness. If we don’t replace these electrolytes quickly, we can experience a condition called dehydration.

Even mild dehydration can result in dizziness, low blood pressure, headaches, confusion, and extreme thirst. Left untreated, it can become severe and result in organ failure. Chronic dehydration may cause long-term damage to your kidneys, liver, and neurological system. Unfortunately, dehydration is easier to experience than you’d think. All you need is a slight imbalance in fluid intake and fluid loss to experience the signs of dehydration.

The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop ORS. Sometimes called electrolyte packets, these drinks are medically balanced to address dehydration by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. Oral rehydration solutions are formulated in accordance with the standards set by the WHO (World Health Organization). That means they contain a precise ratio of electrolytes specifically designed to address dehydration.

Just because the label says it’s an electrolyte drink or electrolyte supplement doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. That’s because the FDA only requires manufacturers to list a product’s ingredients and doesn’t require electrolyte solutions to be medically formulated. That means it’s up to you to decide which drinks are the best for proper rehydration.

Fortunately, there are things you can look for in electrolyte packets to ensure it’s the best choice when it’s time to hydrate. Read on to learn more about electrolyte packets and why they’re a better choice than alternatives like sports drinks.

What Should Electrolyte Packets Contain?

High-quality electrolyte packets like DripDrop ORS contain a precise ratio of electrolytes to replenish water in your body more quickly than just plain water. These packets should contain a range of electrolytes including potassium citrate, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and zinc. Some electrolyte powders also include recommended daily values of vitamins including vitamin C, citric acid, zinc, and B12 to support overall health, boost immunity, and increase energy. There are also electrolyte options that are gluten-free, GMO-free, and vegan friendly.

The best electrolytes packets also contain some form of sugar, whether it’s glucose, fructose, or dextrose. That’s because research shows sugar plays a key role in helping your body absorb electrolytes such as sodium. This process is known as the sodium-glucose transport system. Cells located in the intestines signal the activation of proteins that carry glucose and sodium through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream, supporting faster rehydration.

Many electrolyte packets are also designed to suit certain dietary restrictions. You can find options made with all-natural sweeteners like Stevia leaf extract as well as options without carbs to suit a keto-friendly diet. However, be aware that these sugar-free options are less efficient because sodium needs some sugar, specifically glucose, to be absorbed into our system.

Why Electrolyte Packets Are Better Than Sports Drinks

Sports drinks, coconut water, energy drinks, and other electrolyte replacement drinks are less effective than electrolyte packets and oral rehydration solutions. That’s because these beverages don’t contain a precise ratio of electrolytes. Instead, they’re packed with added sugar and artificial flavors like lemon-lime that don’t add nutritional value. When you drink one of these less effective beverages, you won’t get the right amount of electrolytes, making it harder to meet your hydration needs.

How to Use Electrolyte Packets

Electrolyte packets like DripDrop ORS are easy to use. Most electrolyte powders come in single-serving size packets. The packets are small enough they can fit in your purse or your back pocket, so you can always have your electrolyte drink mix on hand. Simply add the powder packet to a water bottle or a glass of water. Gently stir or mix the powder in the water until it dissolves.

For effective hydration, it’s a good idea to drink electrolyte-rich beverages throughout the day, not just when you’re dehydrated. This can help to ward off signs of dehydration including headache and dizziness that are a direct result of an electrolyte imbalance. Whether you’re an endurance athlete, in the military, a firefighter, or any person working hard, using an oral rehydration solution helps you maintain healthy electrolyte levels so you can focus on the task at hand.

When it comes to storing your electrolyte packets, it’s best to keep them in a cool, dark place. Make sure the electrolyte packets are sealed for freshness, and throw the packet away if it gets torn or ripped. Electrolytes may seep out of a ripped packet, resulting in an improper electrolyte balance. In general, electrolyte powders maintain their freshness for two years after the manufacturing date. Check the packaging for a manufacturing date or an expiration date to ensure maximum efficacy.

Maintain Electrolyte Balance With DripDrop

DripDrop ORS was developed by a doctor on a mission to defeat life-threatening dehydration. The patented formula provides medically relevant electrolyte levels, improving on the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) standards — and what's more, it tastes great. By comparison, sports drinks contain about one-third the electrolytes of DripDrop ORS, and two times as much sugar.

When you're in a state of dehydration, no amount of water is enough. Your body needs the perfect balance of sodium and glucose to help absorption. You can’t get that with sugary sports drinks or water that only contains trace minerals and doesn’t have many electrolytes.

With a precisely balanced ratio like the one in DripDrop ORS, you can replenish vital electrolytes and fluids to relieve dehydration quickly. Plus, our oral rehydration solution supplies vitamins like zinc, potassium, and magnesium which are essential to support your overall health.

Our convenient packaging allows you to have DripDrop ORS when you need it, where you need it. Plus, our electrolyte mix comes in flavors like berry, watermelon, lemon, and orange that you’re sure to love. Get started with our most popular multi-flavor pouch for dehydration relief fast.