GOQii

Blog

  • HOME
  • HEALTHY LIVING
  • FITNESS
  • HEALTHY RECIPES
  • USER STORIES
  • KARMA
  • BUY GOQii

October 18, 2018 By Jyoti Dhawan 2 Comments

Why Electrolytes are so important for our body?

067-healthy-food-4-health-benefits-of-milk-and-dairy-products

Ever wondered what to drink during and after an exercise session, more importantly if you are an athlete training intensely for your next run or next match or a practice session; well the options are galore…..like plain water, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juice….?

Which among these is the best and why? Are sports drinks better than plain water? Do they have some super energy ingredient or a magic formula that boosts performance?

Well the answer is yes, they do contain, not a magic formula but, a balanced proportion of ELECTROLYTES! So what are these electrolytes…let us understand their role and function in the human body.

Electrolytes are minerals which when dissolved in water; break into small electrically-charged particles called ions. These can either be positively-charged (anode) or negatively-charged (cathode) ions. Our body needs a balanced number of cathodes and anodes to stay healthy.

The most important electrolytes required by the human body are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and phosphate. These are present in all body cells and fluids and play a vital role in maintaining proper hydration and balance of water within and between body cells. Each electrolyte has certain specific functions-

  • Calcium is responsible for building and maintaining strong bones, also plays a vital role in muscle and nerve functions, especially muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission i.e. transport of signals up and down the nerves which in turn directs the muscles to act
  • Sodiumis the dominant positive ion which regulates body’s water content and also aids nerve communication.
  • Chloride is found in blood and fluid outer layer of cells; along with sodium it helps control body’s water content.
  • Potassium is needed to maintain normal functions of cells and muscles.
  • Magnesium helps convert blood sugar into energy, also supports over 300 enzyme reactions.
  • Phosphate facilitates absorption of calcium in bones as well as regulates the blood pH level.

As athletes train and perform. They sweat and lose fluids as well as electrolytes in the process. Drinking water replenishes hydration but, not electrolytes. In fact, drinking only water can sometimes dangerously dilute electrolytes in the body and worsen existing imbalance. This imbalance can manifest in form of symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, stomach cramps, stiff and achy joints, and even confusion and impaired judgement. In severe cases, seizures and even heart failure can occur. In other words, electrolyte depletion and imbalance can severely affect an athlete’s performance.

What can be done to prevent an electrolyte imbalance?

Sports drinks definitely play a role in reinstating electrolyte balance but, these are laden with sugar adding extra calories. A better way can be to indulge in foods rich in particular electrolytes like-

  • A salty meal like soup before a strenuous exercise session can help retain fluid and maintain hydration during exercise
  • Tomatoes, Olives, Lettuce help to replenish chloride
  • A large Banana contains 450-600 mg of Potassium
  • Melons, oranges, raisins or prunes, sweet potatoes, peas and beans are rich in sodium
  • Research shows that milk contains a mix of carbohydrates, calcium, sodium, potassium and good protein which aids muscle recovery.

Inclusion of these calcium rich foods like milk and cereal, yoghurt or latte in your diet helps a lot in creating Electrolyte balance.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Can You Workout On An Empty Stomach?
  • Foods to Boost Memory Power
  • Healthy Eating: Sweet Potato and Chickpea Tikkis
  • 5 Simple Lifestyle Changes To Manage Hypertension
  • When Is The Best Time To Eat Almonds?

Stay Updated

Archives

  • March 2023 (27)
  • February 2023 (28)
  • January 2023 (31)
  • December 2022 (31)
  • November 2022 (30)
  • October 2022 (31)
  • September 2022 (30)
  • August 2022 (31)
  • July 2022 (30)
  • June 2022 (30)
  • May 2022 (30)
  • April 2022 (29)
  • March 2022 (27)
  • February 2022 (22)
  • January 2022 (23)
  • December 2021 (18)
  • November 2021 (17)
  • October 2021 (14)
  • September 2021 (12)
  • August 2021 (15)
  • July 2021 (18)
  • June 2021 (19)
  • May 2021 (17)
  • April 2021 (16)
  • March 2021 (16)
  • February 2021 (9)
  • January 2021 (10)
  • December 2020 (9)
  • November 2020 (5)
  • October 2020 (12)
  • September 2020 (9)
  • August 2020 (6)
  • July 2020 (3)
  • June 2020 (8)
  • May 2020 (12)
  • April 2020 (14)
  • March 2020 (13)
  • February 2020 (6)
  • January 2020 (5)
  • December 2019 (7)
  • November 2019 (9)
  • October 2019 (9)
  • September 2019 (6)
  • August 2019 (9)
  • July 2019 (12)
  • June 2019 (13)
  • May 2019 (9)
  • April 2019 (13)
  • March 2019 (13)
  • February 2019 (14)
  • January 2019 (19)
  • December 2018 (13)
  • November 2018 (9)
  • October 2018 (11)
  • September 2018 (11)
  • August 2018 (23)
  • July 2018 (13)
  • June 2018 (22)
  • May 2018 (16)
  • April 2018 (23)
  • March 2018 (17)
  • February 2018 (13)
  • January 2018 (18)
  • December 2017 (13)
  • November 2017 (25)
  • October 2017 (21)
  • September 2017 (20)
  • August 2017 (7)
  • July 2017 (11)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (14)
  • April 2017 (9)
  • March 2017 (6)
  • February 2017 (7)
  • January 2017 (11)
  • December 2016 (10)
  • November 2016 (8)
  • October 2016 (9)
  • September 2016 (7)
  • August 2016 (12)
  • July 2016 (10)
  • June 2016 (10)
  • May 2016 (12)
  • April 2016 (17)
  • March 2016 (18)
  • February 2016 (8)
  • January 2016 (6)
  • December 2015 (4)
  • November 2015 (9)
  • October 2015 (8)
  • September 2015 (10)
  • August 2015 (13)
  • July 2015 (10)
  • June 2015 (12)
  • May 2015 (9)
  • April 2015 (13)
  • March 2015 (9)
  • February 2015 (6)
  • January 2015 (12)
  • December 2014 (14)
  • November 2014 (11)
  • October 2014 (6)
  • September 2014 (14)
  • August 2014 (14)
  • July 2014 (7)
  • June 2014 (3)
  • May 2014 (8)
  • April 2014 (5)
Digvijay Singh

How Digvijay Singh Reversed Chronic BP Issues & Lost Weight With GOQii

Do you feel that no matter what you do, you’re unable to lose weight? You go for walks, meditate and even eat right but that scale doesn’t budge while lifestyle diseases plague you. Our Player Digvijay Singh was stuck in a similar predicament.  Life Before … [Read More...]

Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

We’ve always advocated that lifestyle diseases can be managed with a balanced, healthy and holistic lifestyle but can they also help you manage a terminal condition? Our Player Ananda Mukherjee, with help from his GOQii Coach, was able to battle such a condition. Here’s how his inspirational Health Story unfolded. Going From Slender To Overweight  […]

Rishikesh Ayre

The Right Guidance With Gradual Change – Rishikesh Ayre User Journey

Do you want to make a positive lifestyle change but don’t know how? Does it take every ounce of motivation for you to move? Do you need a nudge in the right direction? These are all valid questions and you’re not alone. Sometimes, we want to begin something new but don’t know where to start. […]

Venkatrao Alaparthi Loses 20kg With Guidance From His GOQii Coach

Venkatrao Alaparthi Loses 20kg With Guidance From His GOQii Coach

While earning a good livelihood is important, is it taking more life out of living? Long working hours, being seated most of the time with no physical activity and bad eating habits can take a toll on your health over a period of time. If this sounds relatable, you might have a lot in common […]

  • HOME
  • HEALTHY LIVING
  • FITNESS
  • HEALTHY RECIPES
  • USER STORIES
  • KARMA
  • BUY GOQii

Copyright ©2016 GOQii