The Health Benefits of Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential for the body, helping with a variety of functions in the body such as regulating nerve and muscle function, hydrating the body, balancing blood acidity and pressure, and helping rebuild damaged tissue. They also make it possible for vital nutrients to reach cells throughout the body. By not getting enough electrolytes or losing too much through sweating or other activities, you put yourself at risk of dehydration—which is why ensuring proper electrolyte intake is important for people who exercise regularly. But electrolytes also play a role in your overall health beyond just rehydration.

What are electrolytes and what do they do for the body?

Electrolytes are minerals that have an electric charge when they dissolve in body fluids such as blood, urine, and sweat.  The most common electrolytes are sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. These minerals work together to maintain fluid balance in the body and are essential for many bodily functions, including regulating nerve and muscle function, balancing blood acidity and pressure, rebuilding damaged tissue, transporting oxygen to cells throughout the body, and helping to break down food into energy. Considering this, it’s easy to see how important electrolytes are for our body. Without them, important bodily functions can’t take place—which can lead to dehydration or other, even more serious, medical conditions.

The Benefits of Drinking Electrolyte-Rich Beverages

Drinking electrolyte-rich beverages, such as sports drinks and coconut water, can help replenish the body's lost minerals. This can be especially beneficial for athletes, as electrolyte-rich beverages can help improve performance during exercise by maintaining optimal hydration and energy levels. Electrolyte drinks are also useful for people who are ill, as they can help replace minerals lost through vomiting or diarrhea. Let's take a closer look below.

• Better Hydration Drinking electrolyte-rich beverages help to improve hydration. Compared to plain water, electrolyte-rich drinks can help the body absorb and retain fluid better, providing the body with more energy and reducing fatigue.

• Energy Production The body needs electrolytes to help break down food into energy, a process known as glycolysis. In addition, electrolytes also help to transport oxygen to cells throughout the body and maintain healthy blood acidity levels—both of which are essential for energy production.

• Muscle Function Electrolytes are important for muscle function, as they help to regulate nerve impulses and contractions. Without electrolytes, muscles cannot properly contract and relax, leading to cramps and fatigue.

The Best Sources of Electrolytes

The best sources of electrolytes are food and drinks that are high in minerals. People who are sick or exercising heavily in particular should try to incorporate electrolyte-rich drinks into their diets to help restore lost minerals. Below are a few examples of sources of electrolytes that do the best job of helping you ensure that you have enough in your diet.

• Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables are natural sources of electrolytes, especially citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. Other foods high in electrolytes include bananas, avocados, leafy greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
• Supplements If you’re unable to get enough electrolytes from food, taking a supplement can be an effective way to increase your intake. Supplements come in a variety of forms, including powders, tablets, and liquids.
• Beverages Sports drinks, coconut water, and other electrolyte-rich beverages are great sources of electrolytes. Many of these drinks also contain added carbohydrates, sugars, and other compounds, however. This means that if you are concerned about adding unnecessary and unwanted substances to your diet, you should steer clear of many of the most common brands on the market.

The healthiest way to increase your electrolyte intake--without ruining your diet--is to reach for p-H balanced, electrolyte-rich bottled waters such as those offered by XENI Water. We carry a line of healthy waters containing electrolytes such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate. Our goal is to keep our customers feeling hydrated and replenished, without potentially harmful additives.

Try Electrolyte Rich Water from XENI Today

If you’re looking to improve your hydration and energy levels, XENI Water has you covered. Our electrolyte-rich waters provide the body with important minerals while also helping it absorb and retain more fluids than plain water. Whether you’re an athlete or simply looking for a health boost, our healthy waters are the perfect way to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Shop now and find the perfect p-H balanced and alkaline bottled water for you today!