Beyond H2O: What You Need to Know About Electrolytes

Plus our homemade "Gatorade" recipe!

As the weather warms up and we spend more time outdoors—whether for a workout, a hike, or just soaking up the sunshine—our bodies naturally sweat more. While sweating is a healthy and necessary way to cool down, it also means losing vital fluids and electrolytes faster. Staying properly hydrated becomes more important than ever, not just with water, but also by replenishing key electrolytes that help keep our muscles functioning, our energy levels steady, and our bodies in balance.

I’d like to start you off with a little research by Dr. Mark Hyman. Sometimes, I say, "Don’t let this scare you," but in the case of hydration, where it’s a no-brainer, this should scare you a little.

The relationship between dehydration and chronic disease and disease-related mortality is well established. Last year, a study published in nutrients looked at the hydration of the US adult population between 51 and 70 and found that 65% failed to meet hydration criteria. Remarkably, zero deaths were reported related to chronic disease in the group of people who met the proper criteria.

This is eye-opening information. Water does more than just “hydrate.” We need water to convert food into energy, lubricate our joints, cushion our bones, regulate body temperature, and produce sweat, tears, and mucus—mucus that lines our sinuses and gastrointestinal tract. Not to mention that our blood is 90% water. WHOA! If we’re dehydrated, we’re more likely to experience metabolic complications, high blood pressure, inflammation, constipation, and sinus infections.

Proper hydration includes the correct amount of water, which can vary by age, activity level, gender, size, and more. It is also combined with the appropriate amount of electrolyte balance.