Hyro publishes this article and makes an electrolyte drink. It's general information, not medical advice, and Hyro isn't a medicine. Health information below comes from healthdirect (the Australian Government-funded health information service) and the NHMRC alcohol guidelines, linked at the end. Electrolyte figures come from each brand's Australian website, checked 21 October 2026.
After a big night, plenty of people reach for an electrolyte drink the next morning. It's an understandable instinct: drinking too much alcohol is one of the listed causes of dehydration, and an electrolyte drink is a flavoured way to get water in. But there's a lot of overpromising in this space, so here's the honest version: what electrolytes can do, what they can't, and what matters more.
The short answer
- No drink, electrolyte or otherwise, gets rid of a hangover. healthdirect says time is the only way to remove alcohol from your body.
- An electrolyte drink is water with minerals such as sodium and potassium added. If the flavour helps you drink more fluid, that's a genuine plus.
- Water, food, rest and drinking less in the first place matter more than any product.
- If you feel very unwell, see a doctor. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).
What alcohol does to your fluid balance
healthdirect lists drinking too much alcohol among the causes of dehydration, alongside not drinking enough fluids, strenuous exercise in hot weather, fever and illness. Signs of mild to moderate dehydration include thirst, a dry mouth, feeling dizzy or light-headed, a headache, dark-coloured urine and weeing less often than usual.
Alcohol also takes time to leave your body. According to healthdirect, your liver takes about an hour to break down one standard drink, and the only way to lower your blood alcohol concentration is with time. Vomiting, cold showers and coffee don't speed it up, and neither do electrolytes.
What electrolytes can do
- Make water easier to drink. If plain water feels like a chore the morning after, a flavoured drink can help you get more fluid in. That's the main practical benefit.
- Add minerals to your water. Electrolyte drinks contain sodium, potassium and, in some cases, magnesium. A Hyro sachet, for example, has 500 mg sodium, 250 mg potassium and 100 mg magnesium.
- Stand in for a sugary drink. healthdirect suggests avoiding sugary drinks such as soft drinks and sports drinks, as well as caffeine and alcohol, if you're dehydrated. A low-sugar electrolyte drink can be a swap for a can of soft drink.
What electrolytes can't do
- They can't lower your blood alcohol or help your body clear alcohol faster.
- They can't undo the effects of drinking, or make it safe to drink more.
- They can't make you safe to drive. Only time lowers your blood alcohol.
- Everyday electrolyte drinks such as Hyro aren't medicines, and aren't designed for dehydration caused by illness, such as vomiting or diarrhoea. For that, healthdirect points to oral rehydration solutions from a pharmacy, and advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
A sensible plan for a big night
Before
- Eat a proper meal. healthdirect advises against drinking on an empty stomach, and suggests eating before or while you drink.
- Decide on your limit. The NHMRC guidelines say healthy adults should have no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day. The less you drink, the lower your risk of harm.
- Plan how you're getting home.
During
- Have a glass of water between alcoholic drinks.
- Count standard drinks. A standard drink contains 10 g of alcohol, which is about 100 ml of wine, 285 ml of full-strength beer or 30 ml of spirits (NHMRC).
- Mix in some alcohol-free drinks.
After, and the next morning
- Drink water, in small, frequent sips if your stomach is unsettled.
- Eat something simple and get some rest.
- Check your urine colour. healthdirect notes that darker, strong-smelling urine in small amounts can be a sign of dehydration.
- If you'd like an electrolyte drink, have it as part of your morning, not as a replacement for water, food, rest or medical advice.
Choosing an electrolyte drink: what to look for
If you keep electrolytes in the cupboard, these are the details that matter. Figures are from each brand's official Australian page or the pack and panel images on it.
| Product | Sodium per serve | Sugars | Made up in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyro | 500 mg | 0.03 g | 600 to 750 ml | Stevia sweetened, caffeine free, not a medicine |
| Hydralyte Electrolyte Powder | 205 mg | About 2.9 g glucose | 200 ml | Listed medicine (AUST L); follow the dosing table on the label |
| Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (Lemon Lime) | 584 mg | 4.675 g glucose | 500 ml | Label says not to exceed 1 stick a day |
| Sodii Everyday Hydration Salts | High sodium | Under 0.8 g carbs | 300 to 500 ml | Purposefully salty |
| SALTT (Lemon Lime Twist) | 968 mg | 0 g | 500 ml or more | Some SALTT flavours contain caffeine |
| ReVitalise Balanced Zero Sugar | 60 mg | Under 1 g | 500 to 750 ml | Very low sodium |
| Dr. Hydrate | 593 mg total electrolytes | No added sugar | 700 ml | Contains sucralose, added vitamins |
- Sugar: the amount varies from almost none to several grams per serve. Check the panel if you're watching your intake.
- Caffeine: healthdirect suggests avoiding caffeine if you're dehydrated, and some electrolyte flavours contain it, so read the name and label.
- Sodium: if you have high blood pressure, kidney or heart concerns, or follow a sodium-restricted diet, talk to your doctor first, especially before trying the higher-sodium options.
- Directions: follow the label, including any daily maximum.
Where Hyro fits
Hyro is an everyday electrolyte drink mix, packaged in Australia. Each 4 g sachet has 500 mg sodium, 250 mg potassium, 100 mg magnesium and 45 mg vitamin C, with 0.03 g sugars and 5 Calories. It's sweetened with stevia and contains no caffeine. Mix one sachet into 600 to 750 ml of cold water. Flavours are Watermelon, Lemon Lime, Orange Mango, Tropical and Blackcurrant Crush.
It isn't a medicine, it won't change how alcohol affects you, and it's no substitute for water, food, rest or drinking less. What it can be is a sugar free*, flavoured way to drink more water, the morning after or any other day. A pouch of 15 sachets is $39.95, or 20% off on AutoShip, where your first order ships free and you can skip, pause or cancel with ease (cancellation is available after the first 10 days). One-off orders of $80 or more ship free.
When to get help
- Call triple zero (000) straight away if someone can't be woken, is having trouble breathing, or you're worried about their safety.
- healthdirect says to seek urgent medical attention for severe dehydration.
- See your doctor if you can't keep fluids down, if you feel unwell for longer than you'd expect, or if you're worried about how much you're drinking. healthdirect's free health advice line is 1800 022 222.
Frequently asked questions
Do electrolytes help with a hangover?
No drink gets rid of a hangover. healthdirect says time is the only way to remove alcohol from your body. An electrolyte drink can be a flavoured way to drink more water, which is sensible if you're dehydrated, but it won't change how alcohol affects you.
Can electrolytes lower my blood alcohol or sober me up?
No. According to healthdirect, the only way to lower your blood alcohol concentration is time, and your liver takes about an hour to break down each standard drink.
Should I have an electrolyte drink before bed after drinking?
A glass of water before bed is a sensible habit. If you prefer some flavour, an electrolyte drink made with the right amount of water is fine for most healthy adults. Follow the label, and talk to your doctor if you have a health condition or follow a sodium-restricted diet.
Is it OK to use electrolyte drinks as a mixer?
We don't recommend it. Mixing an electrolyte drink with alcohol doesn't reduce the alcohol, and it can make it easier to lose count of your drinks. Alternating alcoholic drinks with water is the better habit.
How much water should I drink after a night out?
There's no single number. Sip water regularly, eat something, and use your urine colour as a guide: healthdirect notes that darker urine in small amounts can be a sign of dehydration. If you can't keep fluids down, see a doctor.
Sources
- healthdirect: How alcohol affects your health
- healthdirect: Dehydration
- healthdirect: Urine colour chart
- healthdirect: Binge drinking
- NHMRC: Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol
- Hyro: Australian label and store prices, drinkhyro.com.au/products/variety-pack
- Hydralyte: hydralyte.com.au/products/electrolyte-powder
- Liquid I.V.: liquid-iv.com.au (Lemon Lime 10 pack) and liquid-iv.com.au (Sugar-Free Raspberry Melon)
- Sodii: sodii.com.au/products/citrus-hydration-salts and sodii.com.au/products/sample-pack
- SALTT: getsaltt.com.au (Lemon Lime Twist) and getsaltt.com.au (5 Pack Sample)
- ReVitalise: revitalisedaily.com.au (Balanced Zero Sugar) and revitalisedaily.com.au (Balanced sachets)
- Dr. Hydrate: drhydrate.com.au (Variety Sachet Pack) and Yuzu Lemon sachet pack images on drhydrate.com.au
*Based on our current ingredients and supplier information. Check the label if you have specific dietary requirements. Competitor prices, formulas and offers change often, so check each brand's site before you buy. This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have high blood pressure, kidney or heart concerns, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or follow a sodium-restricted diet, talk to your doctor before adding an electrolyte drink.
