Electrolytes are having a moment. If you head to your local grocery store or vitamin shop, you’ll find rows of electrolyte-infused powders, tablets, and beverages that claim to rehydrate you quickly and effectively.
There is one product, in particular, that many athletes are testing out: salt pills. The tiny white tablets, which contain a concentrated amount of sodium chloride, have exploded in popularity on TikTok, with many people swearing the pills have taken their athletic performance to the next level.
I called up two sports dietitians who work with endurance athletes and asked them what they really think about salt pills. They were in agreement: the average athlete shouldn’t bother messing with them.
“Most people who exercise do not need salt pills; however, for endurance athletes and people who exercise in hot environments or at very high-intensity levels, salt tablets could be useful,” says Allison Childress, a registered dietitian and associate professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University.
What’s the Hype with Salt Pills?
Perspiring during vigorous…
