Have you ever wondered why you are so thirsty after an afternoon of strenuous exercise or spending an afternoon in the sun? Whenever you sweat, your body loses some of the fluids it retains moisture. This consumption puts you at risk of dehydration, which means it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is the obvious solution, but it’s even better if you can drink some electrolyte-rich water.
Why Are Electrolytes Important?
The term “electrolytes” has become a buzzword in the world of fitness and health. You’ve probably heard of them from coaches or health enthusiasts, but what are electrolytes and what do they do to the body?
Simply put, electrolytes are a class of electrically charged essential minerals that the body produces and extracts from food and drink. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphate, chloride, and sodium are all important electrolyte examples.
Electrolytes are essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind because they balance our fluid levels, maintain blood pH, help keep our muscle, nerve, heart, and brain cells working properly, help deliver nutrients to our cells, and flush toxins out of our cells. In other words: they’re more than just post-workout fuel.
5 Signs That Your Body Needs More Electrolytes
Similarly, if you don’t get enough protein, fiber, or almost any macro- or micronutrient in your diet, your body will let you know that it will send a distress signal when your body needs electrolytes.
Experts say these are the top five signs that your body needs more electrolytes.
Sign #1: Your muscles are weak or cramping.
Electrolytes help maintain normal muscle function, so if you experience muscle weakness and/or muscle cramps, your body may need to replenish these essential nutrients. When you’re active, your body depletes the stores of these nutrients, so you’ll need to replenish them regularly.
Sign #2: You’re not feeling well.
If you find yourself feeling more sensitive or irritable than usual, the culprit may be a lack of electrolytes. Electrolyte imbalances can sometimes affect brain function, leading to mood swings, irritability, and even confusion.
Sign #3: Your stomach is upset.
Feeling nauseous or experiencing gastrointestinal issues? This could also be a sign that your body needs more electrolytes. A lot of runners experience nausea at the end of their run or after a run. We are committed to adding more sodium before, during, and after a run to alleviate this.
Sign #4: Your sodium levels are declining.
In cases of severe electrolyte deficiencies, some people may develop hyponatremia, a condition of low sodium. It can happen if someone drinks a lot of fluids but doesn’t replenish the sodium lost through sweating.
Hyponatremia is a serious condition that can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, muscle weakness, and in very severe cases, even death. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor.
Sign #5: Your heart is beating abnormally.
If you need more evidence that electrolytes are essential for your health, this is it. Electrolytes such as potassium and calcium play an important role in maintaining a proper heart rhythm, and an imbalance can lead to irregular heartbeats, palpitations, or rapid heartbeats.
Severe electrolyte imbalances can even pose serious risks to heart health, so you need to make sure your electrolyte levels are always at their best. If you are unsure about your condition, please consult your doctor.
3 Ways to Get More Electrolytes
Here are three easy ways to make sure you’re getting enough electrolytes on a regular basis.
- Boost Your Pure Water: Don’t have a bottle of electrolyte-fortified water in your fridge? Gandhi explained that getting more electrolytes is as simple as adding salt to water and squeezing lemon juice or drinking coconut water (which is naturally rich in electrolytes).
- Eat more natural foods: When your body craves more electrolytes, it’s important to eat a well-rounded diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Avocados, bananas, and spinach are excellent sources of potassium, while foods like almonds and tofu can provide you with a daily dose of magnesium. Our daily diet is an excellent source of [electrolytes], and nature has provided us with it.
- To add: no one is perfect. Sometimes, you won’t go for fruits and vegetables, or you’d rather save some money than spend money on an expensive fortified bottle. To make up the difference and ensure that some electrolytes are consumed, there are many electrolyte supplements available, such as tablets, powders, and capsules, that can be added to water or other beverages.