Sports (electrolyte) drinks are designed to help rehydrate, refuel and support performance. They typically contain water, carbohydrates and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, built for sustained, strenuous physical activity.
The average recreational runner loses roughly 120 mL of sweat per kilometre, and a litre of sweat carries about 600 mg of sodium. Slide to see roughly how much you’d lose on your next run.
Estimates only. Real losses vary with body size, heat, humidity and effort.
How are sports drinks regulated?
In Australia, sports (electrolyte) drinks are regulated as conventional foods under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), to ensure they’re safe and properly labelled.
Health and nutrition claims made on these products are strictly regulated, including the composition rules that define an electrolyte drink — formulated for the rapid replacement of fluid, carbohydrate and electrolytes during or after 60+ minutes of sustained strenuous physical activity.
Sports drinks were originally developed for athletes to replace fluids and electrolytes during prolonged exercise.
Most Australians get enough hydration from water, but sports drinks can help endurance athletes, competitive players or anyone exercising intensely for more than an hour.
The Food Standards Code defines an electrolyte drink as one formulated for the rapid replacement of fluid, carbohydrate and electrolytes during or after 60+ minutes of sustained strenuous activity.
Sports drinks were originally developed for athletes to replace fluids and electrolytes during prolonged exercise.
Water is the main ingredient in all sports drinks and acts as the base of the drink. It helps deliver the other ingredients and contributes to hydration.