In energy drinks, "electrolytes" are just a marketing term for salt. When you sweat, you lose salt. If you sweat or drink too much, the salt in your body will become more scarce and you'll have medical problems.
You only actually need additional electrolytes/salt if you're planning on drinking more than a gallon of liquids within a few hours. Running a marathon or crossing a desert, for example. [ theymos's advice column | Ask theymos A Question ]
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