Are there any concerns or considerations?

Unnecessary expense and unclear guidelines

There is currently no consensus regarding the value of sodium replacement during exercise for either performance or health reasons.

Disruption to hydration plan if used incorrectly

• Increasing the sodium content of a drink generally reduces the drink palatability and may interfere with the voluntary consumption of fluid.
• Excessive intake of salt supplementation during exercise may cause gastrointestinal problems or further impairment of fluid balance.

Failure to address major risk for hyponatremia during exercise

Excessive fluid intake during exercise (substantially greater than sweat losses) is the major cause of serious cases of hyponatremia in susceptible people. Sodium replacement during exercise does not address this problem and may provide a false sense of security.

Consideration of larger messages about salt and health

The Dietary Guidelines for Australians promote a reduction in sodium/salt intake by the community, due to the link between salt intake and hypertension in susceptible people. Electrolyte replacement during and after sport may be considered as a special situation for a specific sub-group of the population, however, general guidelines for healthy eating should not be overlooked.