Why Most Athletes Are Still Underhydrated (Even If They Drink Water All Day)

The Hydration Misconception

If you're constantly sipping water throughout the day but still battling fatigue, headaches, or muscle cramps you’re not alone. For athletes, high performers, and anyone training hard, hydration is more than just water. It’s about electrolytes. And most people, even health-conscious ones, aren’t getting enough.

The Science Behind Hydration

Water gets all the attention, but it's only half the hydration equation. The other half? Electrolytes. Especially sodium, potassium, and magnesium which help regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions.

When you sweat, you’re not just losing water. You’re losing salt... a lot of it.

“Sweat rates can exceed 1.5 liters per hour, with sodium losses ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 mg per liter depending on the individual.”
—Sawka et al., Journal of Sports Sciences, 2007

Most sports drinks? Too much sugar, not enough sodium. And if you're eating clean, low-carb, or fasting—you're likely losing even more electrolytes than you realize.

How Electrolytes Power Performance

Here’s what happens when you get enough of the key players:

• Sodium (primary loss in sweat) helps maintain blood volume, muscle firing, and energy levels.

• Potassium balances sodium and aids muscle function.

• Magnesium supports energy production, relaxation, and recovery.

Electrolyte Losses During Training

We visualized how much athletes can lose per hour of intense activity:

Real Athletes. Real Results.

“Adapt electrolytes have really helped my performance on the ice and overall recovery. I use it multiple times a day and feel the benefits. Other supplements with stevia used to upset my stomach—clean ingredients are a game changer.”
—Jake Sanderson, #85 Ottawa Senators, Team USA Olympian

Adapt isn’t a sugary sports drink. It’s a clean, balanced solution designed for people who take their performance and health seriously.

Why Water Isn’t Enough

Drinking water without replenishing electrolytes can dilute sodium levels, leading to symptoms of hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood). Ironically, overhydrating with plain water can leave you more dehydrated.

“Exercise-associated hyponatremia occurs in up to 30% of endurance athletes who overconsume water without electrolytes.”
—Hew-Butler et al., Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2015

The Adapt Difference (Without the Hype)

We created Adapt because most electrolyte products weren’t cutting it. Too much sugar. Artificial sweeteners. Bad ratios. Hidden ingredients.

Adapt delivers:

• 1,120 mg sodium

• 290 mg potassium

• 25 mg magnesium

• 100 mg calcium

• 0 sugar, 0 stevia

• Third-party tested for purity

And it’s trusted by elite athletes in the NHL, NCAA, and beyond—not because we paid them to say so, but because it actually works.

How to Know If You Need More Electrolytes

You may benefit if you experience:

• Frequent cramping or fatigue

• Low-carb or fasting headaches

• Midday energy crashes

• High training loads or sweating often

• A shift away from processed food (which also drops sodium intake)

Start with a single stick of Adapt daily. Listen to your body. Increase based on sweat, intensity, and recovery needs.

Final Thoughts

Hydration is about more than just water. For the active, the driven, and the health-conscious, electrolyte balance is essential—and it’s often overlooked. That’s why we made Adapt: to help you hydrate smarter, not just harder.

🧪 Sources

1. Sawka, M. N., et al. (2007). Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(S1), S115–S125.

2. Maughan, R. J., & Shirreffs, S. M. (2008). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(5), 386–392.

3. Hew-Butler, T., et al. (2015). Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 25(4), 303–320.

4. Institute of Medicine. (2005). Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate.