What are electrolytes?

If you're an athlete, you've probably heard about electrolytes and how important it is to replenish them in our bodies, especially during physical activity. This is the first thing you should know about electrolytes: they are a group of minerals present in our bodies that need to be regularly replenished, particularly when engaging in sports. Why is it so important to "recharge" these electrolytes during exercise? Because electrolytes are lost significantly through sweating, which is one of the mechanisms our bodies use to maintain an appropriate body temperature and is activated during physical activity.

Let's explain in simple terms what electrolytes are, what their functions are, and why they are so important for athletes.

Functional hydration, combined with a good diet, can make a difference (and indeed does make a difference) between excellent sports results or poor results that also affect our motivation. We need to understand that what we drink and eat is absolutely critical, especially when it comes to athletes and sports enthusiasts. By maintaining healthy lifestyle habits that focus on a balanced and functional diet, based on legumes, vegetables, and fruits, we provide our bodies with all the nutrients it needs to stay in optimal condition. However, in specific situations (such as engaging in sports or spending long hours in front of a computer, just to name a few examples), we face a certain degree of dehydration, which particularly affects our electrolyte balance.

Why are electrolytes so important?

As mentioned earlier, electrolytes are certain mineral salts found in our bodies, particularly in our blood. But what makes them so special? The truth is that electrolytes are involved in a multitude of functions within the human body, and an electrolyte imbalance can be fatal. To provide a clear example that helps grasp the true significance of these minerals: electrolytes play a key role in the heartbeat.

The remarkable characteristic of electrolytes, which sets them apart from other types of nutrients and mineral salts, is that they carry an electric charge. In other words, electrolytes have electricity. Well... the name itself gives us a hint (electro, referring to electricity, and lyte, meaning mineral), but let's confirm it :)

Electrolytes are charged positively or negatively (resulting in cations and anions), and when they dissolve in our bloodstream, they are capable of producing an "electric current," so to speak. This is extremely important because it is this "electricity" that allows our muscles to contract and expand, or enables our brain to send necessary commands to the rest of the organs through the nervous system, ensuring the normal functioning of our body, to mention just a couple of examples. Without this capacity to generate electrical impulses within our bodies, made possible by these important minerals present in the human body, our organism would collapse. That is why the occurrence of muscle cramps is one of the first warning signs that appear when we lose electrolytes and are unable to replenish them quickly and adequately. Muscle failure becomes one of the initial alarm signals.

The most abundant electrolytes in our bodies are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. While they are not the only ones, they are the most important and the ones we always need to keep in mind. RAW Superdrink helps you replenish those electrolytes that you lose, especially through sweat, which are essential for safely continuing your sports activities.

Is hydrating with water enough to replenish electrolytes?

We tend to think that drinking water is sufficient to replenish the electrolytes lost during sports or in relatively special situations (hot days or after spending several hours playing video games or in front of a computer). However, many electrolytes are not present or are not abundant in regular water. That's why it is important to enhance sports hydration with isotonic drinks and also with a rich and varied nutrition, in other words, proper nutrition.

What happens when we don't replenish the lost electrolytes from sweating?

We have already discussed the importance of these minerals in key functions of the human body. Obviously, if we don't replenish the electrolytes lost through sweating, we put our body's ability to perform these functions at risk, and the consequences can be fatal. For example, the lack of sodium, which occurs when we are unable to rehydrate properly, affects osmotic pressure and causes our cells to swell, especially those in the brain.

One of the first symptoms that appear when our electrolyte balance is not adequate is often a headache. The lack of potassium, which is also common in sports environments, can lead to muscle cramps and fatigue initially, progressing to nervous system failure in more severe situations. That's why RAW Superdrink, the first organic isotonic drink for athletes, is the best option for quickly and safely replenishing your electrolytes, so you can continue doing what you love!

Which electrolytes are more difficult to replenish?

We emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced diet to maintain an appropriate electrolyte level (including hydration, of course). A good diet is key to keeping our health in optimal condition. However, some nutrients are easier to find in our food than others. When it comes to electrolytes, the focus is often on foods rich in potassium and magnesium because these minerals tend to be scarce in our diet. RAW Superdrink is a good ally in keeping you healthy with optimal electrolyte levels. Additionally, you can find potassium and magnesium abundantly in bananas, leafy green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, chard...), tomatoes, kiwis, or pumpkin.

Osmotic pressure and electrolytes

Another key function of electrolytes is helping us maintain the complex balance that affects osmotic pressure. These minerals play a special role in maintaining the essential balance that affects our cells and ensures the equilibrium of water and mineral salts inside and outside the cells.

As mentioned earlier, electrolyte solutions containing magnesium contribute to improving water absorption during physical exercise and maintaining an adequate level of endurance in exercises that require prolonged resistance.

If you've made it this far, you now have a complete understanding of how important electrolytes are for the proper functioning of our bodies, especially for athletes. Don't forget it every time you engage in sports!

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