Athletes and Electrolytes
When you take a few bites of salty food, you probably feel a natural urge to wash it down with some water or a similarly quenching beverage. You might not realize that while salt makes us thirsty it also plays a huge role in preventing dehydration. Sports drinks such as Gatorade, Powerade and All Sport often make bold claims on their packaging. They boast about all the electrolytes contained within each bottle.
In fact, the most effective electrolyte drinks contain potassium and sodium salts – an ingredient that’s not so different from what you might grind out of a Cilio salt mill. These salts work to restore the body’s hydration and electrolyte levels following extraneous exercise or physical exertion. In physiology, seven primary ions constitute electrolytes. The positive ions sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium are joined by the negative ions chloride, hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen phosphate.
Various of the body’s muscular and neurological functions require a steady supply of electrolytes. For instance, muscle sodium, calcium and potassium all play a crucial role in allowing for muscle contraction. It’s easy to see why athletes rely on electrolyte-rich drinks following a trying workout. Medical professionals measure the presence of electrolytes in patients via blood tests or urinalysis.