By: Lauren M
What is an Electrolyte An electrolyte is a scientific term for “salts”. The term “electrolyte” means that an ion is electrically-charged and moves to either a negative (cathode) or positive (anode) electrode. Your body works like a battery in the sense of you need to be charged every now and then (eat and drink) to stay alive and be healthy. Your body fluids – blood, plasma, fluids between cells – are similar to seawater and have a high concentration of sodium chloride (table salt).
Why Electrolytes are Important Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart and muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and carry electrical impulses across themselves and to other cells. Your kidneys work to keep the concentrations in your blood constant. For example, when you exercise heavily, you loose electrolytes in your sweat. These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the concentrations of your body fluids constant.
How Else Electrolytes are Important for Our Body They conduct energy Regulate fluid balance Transport nutrients Support proper muscle function Support mental function Help convert calories into energy And much, much more
Why Many Sport Drinks Contain Electrolytes Sport drinks are usually used for when people are working out. Like this slide show explained earlier; when you work out, you loose electrolytes in your sweat. So, many sport drinks contain electrolytes in them. When you are sweating, you drink your sports drink and the ingest the electrolytes in the drink to make up for the electrolytes that you have lost.
Powerade Gatorade Propel Smart Water Vitamin Water
Having Electrolytes in Your Drink is Beneficial for Your Body’s Health In conclusion, electrolytes in your drink is very beneficial for your body’s health for many, many reasons.
Sources of Pictures d=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=people+sweating&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Wb3YKjLUDcq_iM%253A %3BOdz8FP6ymGOiGM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.rexonasweatclinic.co.nz%252Fimg%252Fcontent%252Fcauses%25 2Fboy-sweating.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.rexonasweatclinic.co.nz%252Fcan-you-sweat-more-than- normal%3B255%3B286https:// &ei=BV8zU- iML8n0qAGah4G4Cg&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#q=people+sweating+&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=rDhQk4D0Rh w7QM%253A%3BJv_MUYNRNllepM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.kerrygaynormethod.com%252Fwp- content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F03%252Fworkout-after jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.kerrygaynormethod.com%252Fstarting-a-workout-routine-after-40%252Fworkout- after-40-2%252F%3B670%3B440 iML8n0qAGah4G4Cg&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#q=sweat&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=jjjEK2H9IHAKnM%253A%3 BQ0g_DsodaETfHM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.huffpost.com%252Fgen%252F %252Fthumbs%252Fo-SWEAT- BODYWEIGHT- 570.jpg%253F1%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%252F2013%252F08%252F06%252Ffacts-about- sweat_n_ html%3B570%3B380 _AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=DpnP1wXW1RcQjM%253A%3B0z3xGadlIvGmsM%3Bhttp%253A%2 52F%252Fblog.teamsnap.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2011%252F06%252Fgatorade-fruit-punch-20- oz.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.teamsnap.com%252Fgeneral-sports%252Fhow-many-teaspoons-of-sugar-are-in-a- 20-ounce-gatorade%252F%3B500%3B500 _AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=powerade&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=27y61gBzHWN9eM%253A%3B_I- jJ7Hi5_4ItM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthriftymommaramblings.com%252Fwp- content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F05%252Fpowerade-printable- coupon.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthriftymommaramblings.com%252F2012%252F05%252Fhot-12-powerade- printable-coupon%252F%3B1756%3B3844
_AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=propel&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=juK5jFNJ0Ta0EM%253A%3B8KSnT1PvT1lKXM %3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fconfessionsofacouponclipper.com%252Fwp- content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F07%252FPropel_Zero_Sports_Drink.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fconfessionsofac ouponclipper.com%252Fsweet-deal-on-propel-at-target%252F%3B250%3B250 _AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=smart+water&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=CJ_18S5KqX17WM%253A%3BxyjrvQwJ pH2F4M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcontent.costco.com%252FImages%252FContent%252FProduct%252F513508b.jpg%3B http%253A%252F%252Fwww2.costco.com%252FBrowse%252FProduct.aspx%253Fprodid%253D %2526whse%25 3DBD_115%2526topnav%253Dbdoff%3B300%3B300 d=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=how+do+electrolytes+work&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=fbYVjKIZ- 3cwVM%253A%3BtSYQCsfdZdcGJM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.qrg.northwestern.edu%252Fprojects%252Fvss%252F docs%252Fmedia%252FPower%252Fbattery.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.qrg.northwestern.edu%252Fprojects%252 Fvss%252Fdocs%252Fpower%252F2-how-do-batteries-work.html%3B248%3B291 d=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=people+sweating&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Wb3YKjLUDcq_iM%253A %3BOdz8FP6ymGOiGM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.rexonasweatclinic.co.nz%252Fimg%252Fcontent%252Fcauses%25 2Fboy-sweating.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.rexonasweatclinic.co.nz%252Fcan-you-sweat-more-than- normal%3B255%3B286 _AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=vitamin+water&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=377ORwFghbKUKM%253A%3BE1xdA dlJKXm_bM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.learnthe4ps.com%252Fwp- content%252Fuploads%252F2010%252F08%252Fvitamin- water.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.learnthe4ps.com%252Fadvertising%252Fis-vitaminwater-really-a-healthy- drink%252F%3B280%3B280 d=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1391&bih=674#q=people+sweating&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=A- iflt_NtEH28M%253A%3BOxCEOUptYiaWYM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdisciplineorregret.com%252Fwp- content%252Fuploads%252F2010%252F07%252Fsweaty lg.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdisciplineorregret.com%252F%253Fp%253D1850%3B240%3B312