Why Hydration Isn’t Just About Water – And How Electrolytes Help You Feel Better

When we think of hydration, most of us imagine a glass of water — simple, clear, and essential. But staying truly hydrated is more complex than just drinking plain water. It involves a delicate balance of fluids and electrolytes — minerals that help regulate nearly every function in your body.

Whether you’re trying to feel more energised, improve focus, or manage your weight with medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy, hydration plays a critical supporting role. Let’s explore why.

💧 The Science of Hydration

Your body is about 60% water, and that water is constantly moving — through your blood, cells, organs and out via sweat, breath, and urine. To function properly, your body needs not just enough water, but the right concentration of salts and minerals (electrolytes) to keep everything in balance.

Key electrolytes include:

• Sodium – regulates fluid balance and blood pressure
• Potassium – supports muscle and nerve function
• Magnesium – involved in energy production and stress regulation
• Chloride – works with sodium for fluid balance
• Calcium – essential for bone strength and cellular signalling

If you drink too little, your body becomes dehydrated. But drinking too much plain water can also be a problem, especially during exercise or while using medications that suppress appetite — it can dilute your electrolytes, leading to fatigue, cramps, or even dizziness.

🧂 Why Electrolytes Matter – Especially When Losing Weight

When people start on weight loss injections like Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide), it’s common to experience side effects such as:

• Reduced appetite
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Changes in bowel habits

These side effects can cause people to eat or drink less than usual, which can unintentionally disrupt hydration and electrolyte balance.

Hydration isn’t just about avoiding thirst — it plays a role in:

• Fat metabolism (your liver needs water to break down fat)
• Appetite regulation (we often mistake thirst for hunger)
• Energy levels and mood
• Constipation prevention (a common side effect of GLP-1s)

🍋 Hydration Helpers – More Than Just Water

This is where products like Vidrate come in. Vidrate combines:

• Natural fruit flavours
• Essential electrolytes
• Added vitamins (like B12 for energy and C for immunity)
• No added sugar

It’s a great alternative to sugary drinks and helps you hydrate more effectively — especially helpful if your appetite is low but you still need nourishment and hydration.

🛒 Buy Vidrate in our online shop – Click & Collect 24/7 from our Neath Stores

🥤 Tips to Stay Hydrated and Balanced

• Sip, don’t gulp – regular small drinks are better than chugging water in one go
• Hydrate with purpose – use herbal teas, electrolyte drinks, or infused waters
• Eat your water – foods like cucumber, melon, and leafy greens all contain fluid (like broccoli!)
• Balance salts – especially if you sweat a lot or are eating less
• Check your wee! – pale yellow = hydrated; dark yellow = drink more!

💡 Did You Know?

Even mild dehydration (just 1–2% loss of body weight in fluids) can affect:

• Mood
• Memory
• Reaction times
• Physical performance

Hydration isn’t just for athletes — it’s part of your whole health, every day.

💊 Medications That Affect Hydration & Electrolyte Balance

Some common medications increase your risk of dehydration or electrolyte loss:

• Diuretics (e.g. furosemide, bendroflumethiazide)
• GLP-1 medications (e.g. Wegovy, Mounjaro)
• Laxatives (e.g. senna, lactulose)
• Steroids (e.g. prednisolone)
• ACE inhibitors / ARBs (e.g. ramipril, losartan)
• SSRIs / Antipsychotics (e.g. sertraline, olanzapine)
• Cancer treatments (e.g. chemo causing vomiting/diarrhoea)
• SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g. dapagliflozin)

If you’re taking any of these, hydration deserves extra attention — and support like Vidrate may help.

❓ FAQs

Do electrolytes suppress appetite?

Electrolytes themselves don’t directly suppress appetite, but proper hydration can help reduce cravings — especially if you’re mistaking thirst for hunger. This can support mindful eating and make weight loss plans easier to follow.

Do electrolytes taste sweet when dehydrated?

Some people report electrolytes or drinks like Vidrate tasting sweeter when dehydrated. This may be due to changes in your perception of taste when your body is low on fluid — a clever way your body encourages you to drink more.

If electrolytes taste sweet, are you dehydrated?

Possibly. It’s one sign — but not the only one. Check other cues like thirst, tiredness, darker urine, or light-headedness to assess if you need more fluids.

Are there side effects from Vidrate?

Vidrate is made with natural flavours, no added sugar, and is generally well tolerated. Like any product, very rare sensitivities may occur. If you have kidney problems, check with a healthcare professional before using electrolyte supplements regularly.

💬 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re on a weight loss journey, navigating hormonal changes, or simply want to feel your best — staying hydrated is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to support your body.

At The Health Dispensary, we’re here to help with practical, personalised support — from prescribing to natural wellness products like Vidrate.

Written by Ali Sparkes BSc (Hons), MSc Econ, FRPharmS, IP
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional (like ours) about your own circumstances.