Electrolytes are often discussed when topics including dehydration and sports drinks are mentioned, but did you know that electrolytes are essential minerals that everyone needs? These minerals support several key daily functions of your body, and it is necessary to replenish them to help you feel your best!
If you have low electrolyte levels, you may feel fatigue, drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, or just overall lack of energy. Still, there are several ways to combat the loss of electrolytes, like with the new 310 Hydrates! Watch 310 Health & Nutrition Coach, Sierra, quickly review the benefits of our latest product, below...
In this article, we’re going to further discuss the importance of electrolytes and how you can easily incorporate these minerals into your daily diet!
What are electrolytes?
First, let’s go over exactly what electrolytes are! As mentioned, they are minerals that play a crucial role in your overall health, but more specifically, they help you stay hydrated, rebuild damaged tissue, move nutrients in and out of cells, and balance pH levels.
Some common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are in our blood, tissue, and just about every bodily fluid. Hence, when you lose fluids through sweat and urine too quickly, you should try to obtain adequate amounts of electrolytes to compensate for the variance.
Here are a few less apparent signs that you may be dehydrated:
- Brain fogginess
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dry or shriveled skin
- Rapid heart rate
- Decreased urine output
Why we NEED Electrolytes
You may think you only need to replenish electrolytes after an intense workout, but simply taking a walk or being outside in hot weather will cause sweating and loss of fluids, resulting in possible dehydration. Dehydration doesn’t just lead to thirst (although that’s a big factor), but it can cause an imbalance in the body. Drinking water helps combat dehydration, but you also need to restore the lost electrolytes, like sodium, to rehydrate properly.
If you drink too much water without having enough sodium in your system, it can lead to hyponatremia, which is a condition where the sodium content in the blood is too low, allowing too much water to enter the cell, causing swelling and other complications.
Hyponatremia can generally be avoided by obtaining enough sodium in your diet to support your body's important functions for optimal health! Not to mention, proper levels of electrolytes in your body can help reduce fluid loss, which is vital for everyone, especially if you’re active.
Sources of Electrolytes
1) Sports Drinks
Sports drinks can be beneficial if you are extremely active or work out at elevated levels for a longer sustained period of time. They give your body carbohydrates and electrolytes that can give a boost of energy. They can also help your body hold on to water.
However, many are loaded with sugar that can add unwanted calories to your daily diet as well as ultimately lead to an energy crash from the change in blood sugar levels. Those who have dietary restriction and health issues such as diabetes need to be more cautious with these. Many of them also contain a high level of sodium (salt) which can be challenging on other health aspects in your body.
2) Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are different than sports drinks in the fact that they traditionally contain large amounts of caffeine as well as other stimulants. They also tend to be higher in sugar content to help give the body that immediate rush of energy. The right type of energy drink can serve a valuable purpose if other health enhancing ingredients are added such as vitamins and minerals the body can utilize. Because of all the marketing and hype around these drinks they usually tend to be more expensive per serving than other types of hydration options.
3) Food
You can also find electrolytes in what a variety of different foods! Below are some foods that are sources of these minerals.
Sodium
- Salt
- Soy sauce
- Pickled foods
- Smoked/cured meats
Potassium
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Legumes
- Salmon
- Leafy greens
- Tomatoes
Magnesium
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Quinoa
- Leafy greens
- Legumes
- Dark chocolate
Calcium
- Cheese
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Beans
- Lentils
Phosphorus
- Milk
- Red meat
- Eggs
- Beans
4) Hydration Powders
Hydration powders are a convenient on-the-go way to rehydrate, recharge and restore. The 310 Hydrates offer multiple benefits when it comes to health, convenience, taste and ease of use.
These single use sticks come in a variety of mouth-watering flavors, so you can change the taste of your water as often as you want. They’re only 10 calories per serving and sugar-free, enriched with valuable vitamins plus minerals like sodium, potassium chloride (electrolytes) B vitamins and vitamin C.
This supplement helps hydrate your body more efficiently and not to mention, extremely cost effective compared to other sports drinks!
FAQ’s
I’ve always been told to limit my sodium intake…I’m confused!
Sodium tends to have a bad reputation, but that’s mainly because you can easily go over the daily recommended sodium intake when consuming processed foods! If you stick mostly to whole foods and cooking your own meals, you’ll find that staying around the recommended 2,300mg of sodium per day is quite manageable and great for optimal health...
Your body needs sodium to control hydration in the body. This is because sodium helps create something called osmotic pressure, which allows water to enter and exit the cells to keep the body hydrated and flush out unwanted waste. Just remember, sodium itself isn’t bad, but having too much or too little can affect your health - which is why consuming within the 2,300mg recommendation and drinking fluids with added electrolytes are helpful for your health!
When should I take my 310 Hydrate?
You can drink a 310 Hydrate any time of day or night. It functions as a great pick-me-up in the morning for a burst of energy without the caffeine. You can mix one to take with you on-the-go during your daily activities to restore your hydration, replenish your electrolytes, and quench your thirst.
Why is 310 Hydrate better than regular drinking water?
The minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes combined in 310 Hydrates help your body absorb more water than if you just drank regular water alone. You're able to stay hydrated for longer while providing your body with essential minerals!
Why does 310 Hydrate have 300mg of sodium?
As previously mentioned, sodium is a critical electrolyte that your body needs to help deliver water directly to your cells. Adding sodium to a hydration product increases the delivery of water to the right places!
What are the benefits of drinking 310 Hydrate?
You may experience all or some of the following: reduced brain fog, more focus and clarity, enhanced energy, less muscle cramping and more.
How do I use 310 Hydrates?
310 Hydrates are simple to use! Just mix one packet with 16oz of cold water as needed for a delicious and hydrating beverage. If you want to get fun and creative, you can make spring or summer popsicles, slushes and mocktails! Check out some of our favorite 310 Hydrate Recipes here.
Ready to continually stay hydrated and feel your best?! Grab 310 Hydrates today! And check the 310 Nutrition Blog for more articles and recipes to help you live your healthiest, most fulfilled life!
Sources:
https://recreation.gsu.edu/2020/06/25/the-importance-of-electrolytes/
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/electrolytes.html
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17762-hyponatremia
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-that-are-high-in-magnesium/
