The science

The science of sodium

How much you lose in sweat, and how to get it back.

How it works

The right amount, measured

Most dietary sodium comes from processed food you cannot measure. A serving of Saltivate is a known dose: 800mg sodium, 240mg potassium, 60mg magnesium, 0g sugar.

800mgSodium per servingThe electrolyte you lose most in sweat

240mgPotassium per servingFrom potassium citrate

60mgMagnesium per servingFrom dimagnesium malate

0gSugarNo stevia leaf, ever

Per serving, from our published label. Every lot third-party tested. Made in the USA with imported ingredients, in an NSF GMP Certified facility. That certification covers the manufacturing facility, not the product.

How much sodium is ideal?

Too much sodium raises blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. Too little brings cramps, dizziness and fatigue, and at the extreme hyponatremia. A 2011 JAMA study (O'Donnell and colleagues) found a J-shaped curve: risk rises at both ends and the healthy range sits in the middle.

Chart from the JAMA study plotting cardiovascular hazard ratio against 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, showing a J-shaped curve

Our story

What the data shows

The chart from the JAMA study plots 24-hour urinary sodium against cardiovascular events. Both ends of the curve carry risk.

Why it matters

What sodium does in your body

Nerve and muscle function

Sodium helps nerves fire and muscles contract; running low shows up as cramps and weakness.

Fluid balance

Sodium regulates how much water your body holds, which is why plain water alone can leave you flat.

Blood pressure regulation

Both too much and too little sodium disrupt healthy blood pressure regulation.

Signs you are low

Muscle cramps, dizziness, and fatigue are the common signals of inadequate sodium.

Sweat sodium, measured

Sweat carries roughly 230 to 1,600mg of sodium per liter, and heavy sweaters sit near the top of that range (Baker, Sports Medicine, 2017). Water alone leaves it behind; the free sodium loss calculator puts a number on your own sessions.

The numbers

Sweat sodium at a glance

Sodium per liter of sweat: 230 to 1,600mg, measured across athletes
Typical average: About 900mg per liter
A hard, sweaty hour: Often 1 to 2g of sodium
FDA Daily Value: 2,300mg sodium per day
One Saltivate serving: 800mg sodium, 240mg potassium, 60mg magnesium

Why zero sugar?

Sugar speeds sodium absorption, so medical rehydration drinks use it. Replacing sweat sodium works without it, so every serving of Saltivate has 0g.

Saltivate Salty Orange stick pack on dark slate beside an orange slice

Formulation

What's in it, and why

Flavored mixes are sweetened with Reb M from fermented rice, and potassium comes as potassium citrate for its milder taste. Raw Unflavored is plain: 800mg sodium, about 2g of salt, seasons whatever you mix it into.

Sources