Until the 1980s, only Boy Scouts and soldiers in the desert carried extra water. Now, we've evolved into a species that treats water bottles like external organs. But mere H2O won't cut it anymore — your bottle must be spiked with premium electrolytes, or risk instant death by mineral deficiency.

As reported in NPR, Americans are now dumping over $10 billion annually into sports drinks, while "wellness influencers" hawk overpriced salt packets, claiming life-changing benefits.

But according to medical experts and sports that NPR interviewed, unless you're running ultramarathons or lost in Death Valley, your body isn't desperately crying out for Grape Shocker (yes, that's a real Powerade flavor, because apparently we're all 12 years old now). 10

Your kidneys — those magnificent little f

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