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Introduction
Drinking water is really good for our overall health, and that is why when it comes to staying healthy, the first tip is to drink an adequate amount of water. Whether it is regulating blood pressure or body temperature, water contributes to everything.
It even can help us maintain our productivity, mood, and proper memory power. Water maintains the hydration level in our system. It also supplies electrolytes to our body, which are extremely important for a healthy body and mind.
This is why there is always hype regarding electrolyte drinks. Now the questions come;
What are electrolytes?
What are the benefits of drinking electrolytes?
What Are Electrolytes?
We are starting the discussion by providing you with a basic understanding of electrolytes. Electrolytes are basically minerals that carry an electrical charge when they are dissolved in water.
From the food you eat and also the fluids you are taking, your body fulfils the requirements of electrolytes. These are basically the minerals, like calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium.
Benefits Of Drinking Electrolyte Water
We all are aware of the fact that 60% of our body is composed of water. Whenever you lose a small amount of this 60% of water, your body starts to show some malfunctions and also gets sick. During dehydration, electrolytes play a huge role in regulating the hydration level.
At some points, the level of electrolytes in your blood also can be too low and cause some imbalances. The imbalance in the level of the electrolyte can cause harmful effects in your body. Here are the symptoms you might experience during those hard days.
- Confusion.
- Headaches.
- Fast and irregular heartbeat.
- Numbness and tingling.
- Muscle weakness and cramping.
- Fatigue.
- Convulsion.
It is vital to stay hydrated to maintain the electrolyte level within your body. Apart from drinking water, there are a number of electrolyte solutions available on the market. It is also really effective for helping you get rid of dehydration and also maintain the hydration level in your body. Now, let’s have a discussion about the main topic, which is the benefits of electrolytes.
Benefit 1: Enhance Exercise Performance
When you are exercising and sweating, you require additional fluid in order to replace the water lost. Even as little as 1 to 2% water of your body weight might lead to a decline in speed, strength, and focus. Electrolytes help to recover the lost water and fluid levels in your body.
Benefit 2: Support Nervous System Function
Apart from becoming dehydrated, a small drop in hydration can cause decreased cognitive abilities, lower awareness, and concentration, along with slower reaction time. A 3% dehydration can affect the similar way alcohol content of 0.08% in your blood can do. Electrolytes prevent this by maintaining a proper hydration level.
Also, different types of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium are crucial for reinitiating and transmitting electrical impulses along with offering nervous impulses to communicate properly.
Benefit 3: Rehydrate During Illness
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, it might not make your health condition that severe. But, persistent and severe symptoms could lead to dehydration really quickly if the electrolytes and fluids are not replaced.
However, sports drinks are really effective, but they contain higher amounts of sugar. That is why it is always best to opt for electrolyte drinks to maintain the level of fluids in your body.
Benefit 4: Prevent Heat Stroke
Hot weather always poses a risk for various types of heat-related illnesses. From mild heat rash to even life-threatening heatstroke, you can experience any of these. Generally, by releasing the heat through your skin, your body releases heat and also by sweating.
This particular cooling system fails; when you are in extremely hot weather, it also causes your body temperature to rise dangerously. In this situation, drinking electrolytes can actually help you stay cool in the heat.
The Bottom Line
Just the way, you need all the essential nutrients for a healthy body and mind and also for functioning properly; electrolytes are also essential. It maintains the hydration level, helping us get the energy we need while working out.
