Electrolytes

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are compounds that carry a charge when dissolved in water. Well-known electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. You get electrolytes from food.

What do electrolytes do?

The body uses electrolytes to create an electrical charge difference. Nerve cells use this electrical charge to send signals and muscles to contract.

You also need electrolytes to maintain water balance. The body cannot actually absorb water the way it does food. Instead, the body uses electrolytes to attract water.

When do you need to supplement electrolytes?

It is certainly wise to replenish electrolytes if you mainly eat fresh, unprocessed foods. These foods contain almost no salt. Salt provides sodium, the most abundant and important electrolyte in your body.

Electrolytes are lost faster when you follow a low-carbohydrate diet, such as a ketogenic diet. It is useful to supplement electrolytes when you follow a keto diet.

Drinking electrolyte water during exercise also helps to keep you well hydrated.

Electrolyte powders

Adding in electrolytes is easy with electrolyte supplements. They contain electrolytes in the best ratios. Electrolyte powders are convenient for making your own electrolyte water. The powder is available with and without flavours.

You don’t have to worry about taking too many electrolytes. You are more likely to take too little electrolytes than too much. What you don't need, you simply pee out.