Do trace elements in water improve hydration?

Hydration is a fundamental component of human health, and while the traditional approach has been to consume drinking water to meet fluid requirements, there has been growing interest in the last decade in using " enriched water " with trace elements (or micronutrients) such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, lithium, copper, among others.

This approach has gained ground especially in sports, wellness, and functional medicine contexts. But does it really make a difference from a medical and nutritional perspective?

What are they?

Trace elements are minerals required by the body in very small amounts (less than 100 mg per day) but play critical roles in enzymatic, immunological, antioxidant, and neuromuscular processes. They are found naturally in some types of mineral water or are artificially added to hydration products such as sports drinks and oral solutions.

From a physiological perspective, hydration depends not only on water intake, but also on maintaining electrolyte and osmotic balance .

Although trace elements are not major electrolytes such as sodium or potassium, some studies suggest that their presence could improve intracellular water retention, optimize cellular function, and prevent fatigue in prolonged exercise contexts (Maughan & Shirreffs, 2019).

For its part, a systematic review in Frontiers in Nutrition (2022) highlighted that mineral water rich in trace elements could have a positive impact on bone and cardiovascular health , beyond hydration .

Limited evidence, marketing, and actual doses

Despite these findings, the evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Many studies use small designs, lack adequate controls, or do not directly analyze hydration as a primary outcome. Furthermore, the bioavailability of these minerals may vary depending on their chemical form and the matrix in which they are consumed.

A critical point from a nutritional perspective is that many commercial trace mineral supplements contain very low doses of key minerals , such as magnesium and zinc, which do not reach clinically significant amounts.

For example, popular products contain less than 5 mg of magnesium per dose, when the daily requirement can exceed 300 mg. This discrepancy creates a symbolic or placebo effect rather than a therapeutic one .

Additionally, there is a strong marketing strategy that associates these products with promises of energy , performance, and overall health, without these claims always being supported by robust evidence. The perceived value often exceeds the actual functional value.

The use of trace elements in water may offer specific functional benefits , especially in populations with high physical demands or nutritional deficiencies. However, it cannot be categorically stated that they "improve hydration" in classical terms of volume and osmolarity. More robust and standardized studies are needed to validate these effects.

In the meantime, its use can be considered safe and potentially beneficial if it is part of an individualized and scientifically based approach, avoiding falling into exaggerated claims driven by marketing strategies .

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