So far, the long, hot summer of 2026 has been brutal. In addition to massive high-pressure systems producing days-long heat waves, dense plumes of wildfire smoke from Canada, the American West, and Minnesota have traveled thousands of miles across the continent and the Atlantic Ocean.
Working in these conditions is arduous and carries significant health and medical risks: dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke. All those things can reduce physical and cognitive function, affecting judgment and fine motor skills in a safety-sensitive workplace. And while almost everyone generally understands the need to remain hydrated, or to rehydrate after becoming dehydrated, how best to do that is subject to a lot of bad old habits based on misinformation. But you can safely start from this position: if you’re physically exerting yourself outside of a climate-controlled office space, water alone may not always be enough.
Traditional sports drinks often contain substantial amounts of added sugar and calories. They can be useful during prolonged, strenuous activity, but may be unnecessary for routine hydration, and highly concentrated drinks can cause stomach discomfort for some people. Their popularity owes much to long-standing brand recognition and wide availability. Lower-sugar electrolyte products are now widely available, though it is important to compare labels and choose one suited to the duration and intensity of the work.
Electrolyte powder mixes have worked well for me. There are several widely available today that have real science behind them, with ingredients of decent quality and no added sugar. There are many choices on the market, but you should carefully read the ingredients of whatever you’re considering buying, because there is still a lot of stuff aiming for a price point rather than health, and sugar tends to sneak in everywhere.
