ELECTROLYTES
What are electrolytes?
When most people hear the word “electrolytes,” they probably think of sports drinks. And rightly so — during exercise, electrolytes are lost through sweat and must be replenished for optimal performance. But what are electrolytes, exactly?
In simple terms, electrolytes are minerals that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. From regulating your body’s pH balance to contracting your muscles and playing a key role in your nervous system, electrolytes are responsible for an array of essential functions. Read on to discover how electrolytes keep you happy, healthy, and hydrated.
What minerals are considered electrolytes?
Minerals that are considered electrolytes include potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride, among others. Let’s take a closer look at their individual functions and health benefits.
Potassium
is one of the three most abundant minerals in our bodies. It’s primarily responsible for regulating fluid levels and aiding the production of the proteins our cells need to maintain healthy tissues and organs. Potassium also increases bone density, helps prevent stroke and type 2 diabetes, and regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Sodium
works alongside potassium to balance fluid levels as well as blood pressure. This mineral has a somewhat “bad” reputation as a major cause of heart disease. However, our bodies need sodium to live and perform vital functions. Consuming too much sodium and too little potassium is what increases the risk factor.
Chloride
functions similarly to potassium and sodium, maintaining optimal blood pressure levels and the body’s pH balance. Most of your chloride intake comes from salt, also known as sodium chloride.
Calcium
is renowned for building and maintaining strong bones and healthy teeth — but its benefits don’t stop there. Our bodies rely on calcium to transmit messages from our brain to our nerves, which facilitates muscle movement. Calcium also aids proper blood flow and clotting, in addition to releasing vital hormones and managing enzyme function.
HOW DO ELECTROLYTES RELATE TO MY LIFESTYLE?
Athletes are familiar with the role electrolytes play in their workout, but these charged minerals are vital for just about every process in our bodies. Check out just a few ways electrolytes keep you going.
improve sleep to kickstart a dynamic day
Without electrolytes, performing everyday tasks would be impossible. Our muscles wouldn’t be able to contract or relax, our cells wouldn’t be able to replicate, and our brains wouldn’t be as focused. Electrolytes influence everything we do and even how we feel. From alleviating migraine headaches and depression to contributing to a better night’s sleep, electrolytes keep us feeling happy, healthy, and alert.
Stay hydrated
Electrolytes keep us hydrated by managing how much water our bodies retain and how much we lose through sweating and urinating. Our intense morning workouts and intoxicating nights out result in a big loss of electrolytes, which causes fatigue, headaches, and dizziness if not replaced.
Replenishing electrolyte levels throughout your day ensures top performance both in the gym and on the dance floor. Whether you’re recovering from a satisfying workout or enjoying a round of pre-drinks with your crew, BrightFox provides a healthy, hydrating boost of electrolytes and essential nutrients morning, noon, and night. All three flavors contain three times the electrolytes as other popular sports drinks — without all the added sugars, empty calories, and artificial ingredients. (We’ll toast to that!)
Soothe your hangover
No matter how much we love our favorite mixed drinks, they don’t always love us back. If you’re nursing a sore head the morning after, electrolyte drinks help replace some of the nutrients you lost the night before. While there’s no such thing as a hangover cure, every little bit helps.
On your next night out, why not consider mixing your favorite spirits with BrightFox to help prevent a hangover? BrightFox hydrates and restores electrolytes and other essential nutrients while you drink, making it a smart, crisp, and refreshing way to enjoy your favorite spirits. Our three flavors also pair deliciously well with gin, vodka, and tequila, giving you a few new cocktail ideas to add to your list.
What foods are rich in electrolytes?
A few electrolyte-rich foods include avocados, leafy greens, and yogurt. Electrolyte drinks, like BrightFox, also supplement a balanced diet of whole foods, giving you the fuel you need for an effective workout, a productive workday, and a festive afterparty.
Are certain people at risk of electrolyte deficiency?
Again, that depends on the electrolyte. Medications, kidney disorders, and respiratory diseases may result in an electrolyte deficiency. Those with more demanding nutritional needs, like pregnant women, may also be at a higher risk of electrolyte deficiency.
Is it possible to consume too many electrolytes?
As we’ve already seen, we lose electrolytes through sweat and urine, which means overconsumption is rare. In fact, you’re much more likely to consume too few electrolytes rather than too many.
Electrolytes: The bottom line
The clue is in the name: electrolytes power just about everything we do, from moving our muscles to controlling our emotions. Apart from their essential role in hundreds of biological processes, electrolytes keep us feeling focused, hydrated, and balanced.
While most of us don’t get enough electrolytes, they’re readily available in many of our favorite foods and beverages. Although some sports drinks tout their electrolyte content, they’re also loaded with sugars, sweeteners, and artificial colors, making them a not-so-healthy option for your post-workout refreshment. Kick your day (or night) up a notch with BrightFox, packed with three times the electrolytes and zero artificial ingredients.
