14 Aug Electrolyte Drinks Are a Great Way to Stay Hydrated and Prevent Dry Mouth
Have you ever felt lightheaded halfway through a hike, despite drinking lots of water? That’s because water alone isn’t enough. If you’re not replenishing lost electrolytes, your body won’t be able to hang onto the water it needs.
Electrolyte drinks aren’t just for athletes. They can help anyone stay hydrated, and in a dry climate like ours, that’s a necessity. Learn why drinking electrolytes to stay hydrated is important
How Electrolytes Help Keep You Hydrated
Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium help your body absorb and retain the water you drink instead of passing it right back out. Plain water alone isn’t always enough once you’ve been sweating heavily, since you’re losing minerals along with fluid.
Electrolytes like sodium and potassium help keep you hydrated, especially when you’re exercising or working outdoors in the heat. Without them, you can drink a ton and still feel dehydrated because it just passes through you. Sweat drains these minerals out, so replacing them helps your body actually use the water you’re drinking, especially in the heat.
Drink fluids with electrolytes during extended periods of sweating, since water alone can leave you short on the sodium and potassium your body needs to function properly.
If you’ve been hiking, gardening, or working outside in the desert heat, you’ll need extra electrolytes to help your body keep and use the water it needs.
Staying Hydrated in Arizona’s Desert Climate
Dry mouth increases your risk of cavities and gum disease, and in a high desert climate like ours, this can be a real problem. The dry air in northern Arizona pulls moisture out of your mouth every time you breathe, so you’ll need to do more than just drink water to stay hydrated.
If you’re even mildly dehydrated, your mouth won’t be able to make enough saliva to neutralize acid attacks, wash away food debris, or remineralize your enamel. So remember, if your mouth feels sticky or tastes sour, or if your lips are chapped, you’re probably a bit dehydrated.
Five Surprising Drinks with Electrolytes
You don’t need a neon-colored sports drink to replace what you lose sweating it out in the Arizona heat. Instead of store-bought sports drinks loaded with sugar and artificial colors, there are plenty of homemade options like watermelon agua fresca or a leafy green smoothie.
Here are a few more sources of electrolytes that might surprise you!
- Milk has electrolytes like sodium and potassium, plus proteins that help your body hold onto fluid a little longer. In fact, a recent study found that athletes who drank milk after exercising in the heat stayed hydrated better than those who drank a standard sports drink. (Try unsweetened almond milk if you have a dairy allergy.)
- Coconut water is naturally high in potassium and low in sugar, which makes it a go-to post-workout drink.
- Bone broth leans heavily on sodium, so it’s especially handy if you’ve been sweating for hours or you’re recovering from being sick.
- Tomato juice is surprisingly high in sodium and potassium, and a great vegetarian alternative to bone broth.
- Pickle brine has electrolytes as well as probiotics, and while it might seem weird to take a swig from the pickle jar, eating a nice crunchy pickle is probably just as effective. Or add a splash to your tomato juice!
Holistic Dentist in Prescott, Arizona
As holistic dentists, everything we do centers on prevention. That includes helping our patients understand how hydration affects their whole body, not just their energy levels. Drinking beverages with electrolytes will help you stay hydrated on a hot summer day, and it will help protect your smile, too.
If dry mouth has been bothering you, we’re here to help. Contact Prescott Dentistry to schedule an appointment today.
Photo by Frederick Shaw on Unsplash with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 7/28/26.