One young woman practicing sport. More files of this models and series on port.
You know you’re supposed to replenish your electrolytes after a killer sweat session, with sips like coconut water and sports drinks. But what are�electrolytes,�exactly? And why do our bodies need them?
This�new�video from�the American Chemical Society breaks down the science behind the�crucial salts (yep, they’re salts). In a nutshell: Once electrolytes (think calcium, potassium, magnesium, and plain old table salt) are in our bodies, they dissolve into�positive and negative charges. These charges have two main functions: Regulating the flow of water in and out of cells, and sparking�nerve impulses.
RELATED: What to Eat After a Workout
Without electrolytes, “our cells would�shrivel up�and die, or burst from being too full,” the clip’s narrator explains. And those nerve impulses electrolytes control? They keep our bodies functioning properly�you know, “our hearts beating, our lungs breathing, and our brains learning.”�So there’s that.
When you work out, electrolytes get deposited�into sweat glands. Water follows the electrolytes (thanks, osmosis), and as the glands fill�up, they release the salty mix onto your skin.
The water then evaporates,�which makes you feel cooler�and you’re left with that salty taste on your skin (don’t act like you don’t know what we mean).
As for why fitness instructors are always reminding�you to drink up after class, it’s because losing too many electrolytes can mess with your blood pressure, breathing, and more.
RELATED: Hydration and Exercise: How to Get It Right
All this talk about the mega-importance of electrolytes�might having you craving a Gatorade. But here’s the thing: Unless you’re a pro athlete, you’re probably getting a sufficient amount of electrolytes through your regular diet�no neon-colored beverages�necessary.
And who needs the sugar in most sports drinks? As the narrator points out, “if you�re doing a half-hour of cardio, a single bottle of the stuff will give you all the calories you just worked off.”
The flick’s take-away advice: Stick with water to hydrate, and save the sports drinks for your next marathon.
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The information herein on "What Are Electrolytes and Why Do We Need Them?" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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