Eli5 : How do salts go from being electrolytic to a dehydrant in the body?

Question

When you’re dehydrated you drink electrolytic liquids or take salt tablets, but consuming too many salty things (I.e. pretzels, salty foods) can dehydrate your body?

In: 2

Answer 1

Your body has a balance between salt and water. Drinking too much water upsets this balance. Consuming too much salt upsets this balance.

If you have saltwater which is already balanced, drinking it will not upset your body’s balance.