What are electrolytes & how do they power every move your body makes?

First off, what are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are the minerals or the salts in your body that carry an electrical charge. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride are these salts that keep your body functioning. But how are these electrically charged salts keeping your body functioning? What is their significance? Let’s find out.

Think of your body as an electrical grid with thousands of wires that form your central nervous system. If any movement needs to be produced, the brain uses these wires or neurons to send an electrical signal to the muscles. The muscles receive this electrical signal and spring to action.

This certainly means that any kind of body movement wouldn’t be possible without these electrical signals and it is the electrolytes in your body that facilitate these signals.

Now, we lose electrolytes mainly through sweat. Basically, when you sweat, you are not just losing water but you’re also losing these electrolytes.

What happens when your electrolyte levels drop?

If the level of electrolytes dips below a certain level, especially during high intensity activities such as running, cycling, swimming or working out, it could lead to fatigue, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and a reduced ability to sustain that activity at that intensity.

Physical signs such as cramps, unusual fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, or confusion particularly during or after prolonged exercise or heat exposure may also indicate a dearth of electrolytes in the body. This is the reason why you need electrolytes even when you are not working out. 

Since the body cannot produce these electrolytes, they have to be replenished through your nutrition.

Sources of electrolytes

Electrolytes can be replenished through a variety of foods and fluids. Common sources include electrolyte mixes, oral rehydration solutions, sports drinks and natural beverages such as coconut water. Certain foods like fruits and salted snacks also provide sufficient electrolytes.

Choosing the right source often depends on the intensity and duration of exercise, as well as individual hydration needs.