Electrolytes: For Athletes or for Everyone?

Updated on June 23, 2026

Abstract: Electrolytes: For Athletes or for Everyone?

In this column, Lynn Goneau, a naturopath at La Boîte à Grains, explains that electrolytes—such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium—are essential for maintaining proper hydration, supporting nerve and muscle function, and preventing fatigue, especially during periods of heat and humidity.

Contrary to popular belief, they aren't just for athletes: anyone can benefit from getting enough of them. Lynn also emphasizes the importance of replenishing electrolytes lost during outdoor activities or after drinking alcohol, while noting that some people should consult a healthcare professional before taking them regularly.

1. Why are electrolytes important?

Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) are essential minerals that help maintain hydration, transmit nerve signals, and support proper muscle function. During hot and humid weather, they are particularly important because they are lost through sweating.

2. Who might need it?

Contrary to popular belief, electrolytes aren't just for athletes. Anyone who sweats a lot can benefit from an adequate intake, including outdoor workers, older adults, and people who enjoy summer activities such as walking, biking, or golf.

3. Electrolytes and Dehydration

Significant electrolyte loss can contribute to fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, and slower recovery. Lynn also points out that alcohol promotes dehydration and recommends drinking water enriched with electrolytes before, during, or after a night out.

4. A Few Precautions

Electrolytes can be a great help during the summer, but they aren't necessarily suitable for everyone. People with kidney or heart problems, high blood pressure, or those taking certain medications should consult a healthcare professional before consuming them regularly.

About the Author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specializes in:

• Digestive Health
• Hormonal Health
• Stress and Fatigue
• Memory and Concentration
• Weight Management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host on 104.7 FM

Radio host at 104.7 FM, part of the Cogeco network. Frédéric Bisson has been hosting the show *L'Outaouais Maintenant* from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. every weekday since February 27, 2023.

Transcript

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7 FM:

While our colleagues on the 12 p.m. shift are on break, we’re here for another two weeks—which is good timing, because I’ve noticed it’s been humid for the past week or two, even if the weather hasn’t always been great. And we’re going to talk about something really important related to the heat we’re experiencing right now. And that something is electrolytes. The first question is: are they just for athletes, or do they apply to everyone? Lynn Goneau is a naturopath at La Boite à Grains. Hello, Lynn.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Hello, Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

As for me, I know I'm getting some. Did you see my sweater?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Yeah, me too—I do it regularly every day. Then, once summer is in full swing, the heat and humidity definitely make us sweat more.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

So it's directly related.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Yes, that's right. And when we sweat, we don't just lose water. We also lose essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These are electrolytes, after all. So no, it’s not just for athletes. It’s for anyone who sweats—which is practically everyone in the summer.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

Yes, and it's so important. I’ll tell you later what happened to me the last time I was in the hospital—what the nurse told me—but first, Lynn, “electrolyte” sounds like electricity. We’re not really sure—what does it mean?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Actually, just imagine that your body is like a house, and electrolytes are like electrical wires. They all have an important role to play. For example, let's get started.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

Yes, we have the image.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

We'll start with sodium, then potassium. These regulate your hydration. This is really important because it controls where water goes in your body—into your cells versus into your bloodstream—and a well-hydrated cell will give you more energy.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

Well, yeah, a cell that's thirsty, uh…

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

It doesn't really move much, actually. Second, it helps your nerves function. Your brain sends electrical signals throughout your body, and electrolytes are what help transmit those signals. For example, they help you concentrate better or perform movements.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7 FM:

Okay.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Third, it causes your muscles to contract and relax, just like calcium. Calcium triggers the contraction, and then—as we know—magnesium helps with relaxation, while sodium and potassium send the signal to start the process. So the result is better performance and less muscle fatigue.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

So, Lynn, we realize there's someone listening to us who didn't understand how it worked.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Yeah, that's right.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

It’s like, imagine you cut half the electrical wires in your house. Nothing really works. Only every other light works? You don’t have heat or anything like that. So it’s that important. When I went to the hospital last time for COVID, the nurse told me, “Sir, you’re mostly just dehydrated.” And that changes your heart rate. It means you can’t concentrate, your stomach hurts, and you can’t digest food properly. And she told me that half the patients we see at the hospital have an electrolyte imbalance like that.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Yes, all my clients—actually, when I talk to them right now, I see it too. It's so important. We don't realize it, Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7 FM:

So I guess there are some people who should be more careful than others.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Yes, yes, that’s true—for all outdoor workers, like those on construction sites in the summer, it’s not easy. It’s funny to say this about older people, because as we age, we don’t feel as thirsty. We lose water more easily, and our kidneys don’t function as well. It happens much faster than you’d think—or for those who do outdoor activities in the sun, like walking, biking, or golf—and even for someone who drinks a lot of water without electrolytes. They can become dehydrated because everything gets too diluted.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7 FM:

Yeah, there are some things missing. You know, back when I was a tour guide about ten years ago, a passenger pointed out that I had salt lines. So, electrolytes, Lynn—we’re basically talking about all that. It’s like it’s some kind of miracle, but wait—it’s not for everyone, is it?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Some people should avoid taking it. If you have a health condition—such as kidney problems, heart problems, or high blood pressure—or if you're taking any medications, it's always important, Fred, to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking it regularly.

Frédéric Bisson - Host, 104.7 FM:

OK, so let's go with that. Do you have anything? You? Because it'll be summer, and we'll be on the patio. We'll have a little to drink.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Oh, yeah. I’ve got my secret trick for the summer. Okay, especially when it comes to alcohol, because when you drink alcohol, you don’t realize just how much it dehydrates you—it makes you lose water, but especially electrolytes. So here’s the thing: that’s why, in the end, the next day you wake up feeling all out of it, because you’re really dehydrated. So my advice is simple: during the night, between drinks, try to drink about 750 ml of water with electrolytes in it. It’s really, really a game-changer, and where it makes a huge difference is the next morning—even before you have your coffee. We all know that coffee dehydrates you even more, so drink at least 500 ml of water with electrolytes. Why? Because it rehydrates your body. The result: less fatigue, fewer headaches, and—most importantly—a much milder hangover. It really works, Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

Honestly, I don't know what the ones you're going to suggest look like, but it sounds like a little drink. Sometimes there's a bit of color in it.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

It's easy to take.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

Exactly. So it doesn't seem like you're drinking electrolytes.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

You can get them in powder form. You can get them as a liquid, and even at La Boîte à Grains—what I like about that place is that there are several companies there that make really great electrolyte blends. But if you just want to give it a try and see how it affects your day, check out Ener-IV—what I like is that they have a small box of 12 packets. It’s perfect for testing it out. Personally, I take the lemon-lime flavor every day, but they also have a berry flavor if you want to give that a try.

Frédéric Bisson - Radio Host, 104.7 FM:

Thank you. If we'd like to learn more—maybe explore this with you—can we schedule an appointment?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath from La Boite à Grains:

Yes, definitely. All my contact information is on the website at La Boite à Grains. We can try to find a time that works for both of us, and then we can talk about it. Do you really need electrolytes? Because, actually, it’s really important that you don’t run low on them—we can discuss that or any other health-related issues. I’m here for you.