It's Electric: The Shocking Purpose of Electrolytes
Have you ever wondered what electrolytes are? Most sports drinks proudly advertise their high content of electrolytes, promising higher performance in sports. That all sounds great, but how exactly do electrolytes work, and why do we need them? This blog post will cover the electrifying topic of electrolytes and what they can do for you.
The Science of Electricity
I know, I know, you don’t want a detailed scientific spiel; you don’t need to know the complicated formulas, and you most certainly don’t want to count the electrons on the atoms of electrolytes. Lucky for you, I don’t understand any of that, anyway. What I can tell you is that our muscles require electricity to work. With every heartbeat and muscle movement, electrical impulses are sent through the body to make those actions happen. Electrolytes are behind these electrical impulses and are essential to making your body move. Sodium, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium are just a few examples of electrolyte minerals. When your body doesn’t have enough electrolytes, things don't quite work properly: “If electrolyte levels are low or out of balance, one of the results can be that muscles can go into cramps or spasms” (2023). This is why many athletes (especially runners) make it a priority to drink lots of fluids with electrolytes and eat foods that provide electrolytes.
Eating and Drinking Electricity
Although many people think about drinks as being the main source of electrolytes, there are a lot of foods that contain electrolytes, as well. Bananas, beans, almonds, milk, turkey, chicken, broccoli, avocados, and strawberries are just a few examples of electrolyte-rich food (Whelan, 2019). Of course, don’t skip out on the fluids either, as these are very efficient at providing electrolytes to your body fast. Normal water by itself already has electrolytes, but if you’re needing an extra boost after a tough workout, there are many sports drinks and supplements on the market that will provide you with the electricity that you need in your body.
