When people think about electrolytes, sodium usually steals the spotlight. It’s the bold number brands place on the front of their packaging. But there’s another mineral that quietly does just as much — if not more — for hydration balance: potassium.
In this post, we’ll explore the science of potassium, why it’s so under appreciated in hydration products, and how to spot it on labels.
What Potassium Actually Does
Potassium is one of the most important electrolytes in hydration, and its role is often misunderstood. Here are its three main functions in hydration science:
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Balances sodium
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Sodium draws fluid into the body; potassium balances that effect by helping regulate fluid distribution.
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Supports daily mineral harmony
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Sodium and potassium are like two sides of a scale — one doesn’t work optimally without the other.
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Taste and usability
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Potassium in the right amount keeps a drink from tasting overly salty, making it easier to sip throughout the day.
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Without potassium, high-sodium hydration mixes feel incomplete.
Why Potassium Gets Ignored in Hydration Products
Most hydration brands underdeliver on potassium. Why?
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Cost cutting: Potassium ingredients are more expensive than sodium salts.
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Marketing focus: It’s easier to brag about “520mg sodium” than explain balance.
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Consumer misunderstanding: People recognize sodium but don’t know how vital potassium is.
The result: products overloaded with sodium and underpowered in potassium.
Potassium Levels in Popular Hydration Products
| Product | Potassium per Serving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Drinks (20oz) | ~75mg | Minimal, overshadowed by 21g sugar. |
| Pedialyte Powder Pack | ~280mg | Better than sports drinks, still sodium-heavy. |
| Liquid I.V. | 370mg | Solid, but paired with 520mg sodium. |
| Nuun Tablets | ~150mg | Light, often not enough for balance. |
| Optimal Hydration™ | 400mg | Strong potassium paired with moderate sodium (320mg). |
This table shows why potassium is the “under appreciated electrolyte.” Many brands barely include it, leaving formulas unbalanced.
Why Balance with Sodium Matters
Potassium isn’t about big numbers — it’s about ratios.
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High sodium, low potassium: Creates salty taste, incomplete balance.
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Moderate sodium, strong potassium: Keeps flavors lighter and electrolytes in harmony.
Optimal Hydration™ uses 400mg potassium with 320mg sodium — a ratio designed for balance, not bragging rights.
Everyday Scenarios Where Potassium Makes a Difference
Even outside of athletics, potassium plays a role in how hydration feels:
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Office workers: Coffee and salty snacks dominate office life; potassium brings balance.
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Travelers: Long flights and dry air often lead to imbalance if only sodium is replenished.
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Hot weather: Sweat carries away both sodium and potassium.
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Daily hydration: Without potassium, electrolytes lean too heavily on sodium.
Again, this isn’t about cures or performance promises — it’s about understanding why potassium belongs in hydration at all.
Why Most People Don’t Think About Potassium
The hydration industry has taught consumers to equate “high sodium = better.” That leaves potassium out of the spotlight.
But smart shoppers who look closely at labels notice:
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Brands boasting “high electrolytes” often mean “high sodium only.”
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Potassium, magnesium, and calcium are often missing entirely.
This creates the illusion of strength without actual balance.
Why Optimal Hydration™ Puts Potassium Up Front
Unlike most hydration powders, Optimal Hydration™ prioritizes potassium alongside sodium:
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400mg potassium per serving.
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Balanced against 320mg sodium.
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Paired with 100mg magnesium, 100mg calcium, and 5.5mg zinc.
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Supported by 12 electrolytes + vitamins.
It’s a formula that doesn’t treat potassium as an afterthought — it’s central to balance.
FAQs
Why is potassium important in hydration?
It balances sodium and helps keep hydration formulas complete.
Do most hydration drinks have potassium?
Many have little or none — sports drinks often include ~75mg, far below what creates balance.
What’s a good potassium level in a hydration mix?
300–400mg per serving paired with moderate sodium is a practical target.
Why don’t brands highlight potassium?
It’s more expensive to include and harder to market than sodium.
Final Verdict
Sodium gets all the attention in hydration products, but potassium is just as important. Without it, hydration mixes feel salty, incomplete, and unbalanced.
That’s why Optimal Hydration™ puts potassium front and center: 400mg paired with 320mg sodium, plus magnesium, calcium, zinc, and vitamins. It’s not about one mineral dominating — it’s about a formula where everything works together.
Hydration shouldn’t be one-sided. It should be balanced.
Stop Settling for Less. Choose More. Shop Optimal Hydration