From Popsugar · Korin Miller · · 1m
Why Electrolytes Are Back in Trend
Electrolytes: Why we're all taking them again and what they really do.
In brief
Electrolytes: Why we're all taking them again and what they really do. Electrolytes are minerals that help balance fluids, nerves, and muscles; low levels cause cramps, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats. Originally reported by Popsugar.
Quick answers
- What Are Electrolytes?
- Electrolytes are minerals in your body that carry an electric charge, either positive or negative.
- What is the key takeaway from Why Electrolytes Are Back in Trend?
- Electrolytes are minerals that help balance fluids, nerves, and muscles; low levels cause cramps, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats.
What Are Electrolytes?
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Electrolytes are minerals in your body that carry an electric charge, either positive or negative.
“Electrolytes in the body are essential for proper nerve and muscle function”
Key Electrolytes in Your Body
Bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, and sodium are essential minerals.
“This helps to maintain your body's pH and moves carbon dioxide through the bloodstream”
Electrolytes in Food
Electrolytes come naturally from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and are also found in sports drinks.
“Electrolytes in food are natural sources of these minerals found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts”
Why Electrolytes Matter
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They help balance fluids, regulate pH, keep bones strong, and support nerve and muscle function.
“They help our body regulate chemical reactions and play a role in fluid reactions”
Symptoms of Low Electrolytes
Muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, headaches, and swelling can occur.
“Muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, headaches, swelling, muscle and eye twitching, weakness”
Best Sources of Electrolytes
Watermelon helps with headaches, while salt provides a good balance of electrolytes for most people.
“If someone is having regular headaches, I'll recommend that they eat watermelon because they'll get electrolytes plus water”
When to Take Electrolytes
Sports drinks help replenish electrolytes after intense exercise, but a balanced diet usually suffices.
“It's totally reasonable to sip on a sports drink as needed after a particularly intense workout”
The short version
Electrolytes are minerals that help balance fluids, nerves, and muscles; low levels cause cramps, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats.
