<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help the body maintain optimal function. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">An electrolyte imbalance may occur for a wide range of reasons, and is often linked to dehydration or excessive sweating.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You can avoid electrolyte imbalance by eating a healthy diet and drinking enough water. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you’re an athlete, sports drinks may be a good way for you to quickly replenish your electrolyte levels.</li></ul>

Summary 

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Most people get enough electrolytes from the daily foods and beverages they take in. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">In some instances, electrolyte beverages may be a good way to quickly replace electrolytes that you lost during extreme activity.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Electrolytes leave the body through sweat and urine. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you sweat a lot, exercise in hot weather, or work out vigorously for more than an hour or two, you may benefit from drinking <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/electrolyte-water">electrolyte beverages</a> before, during, and after your workout.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">People at risk for dehydration, such as those who have high <a href="https://www.healthline.com/symptom/fever">fever</a>, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/diarrhea-and-vomiting">diarrhea and vomiting</a>, may also benefit from electrolyte beverages.</li></ul>

When Do You Need Electrolyte Beverages? 

The amount of electrolytes you require on a daily basis varies and is based on several factors, including: <ul><li>age </li><li>activity level </li><li>water consumption </li><li>climate </li> </ul>

What Are The Factors That Affect Your Daily Electrolytes Needs

Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals. In order for your cells, muscles, and organs to work properly, you need both fluids and electrolytes.Electrolytes help regulate the balance of fluid in the body. Types of electrolytes are :<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">sodium</li><li class="ql-align-justify">phosphate</li><li class="ql-align-justify">potassium</li><li class="ql-align-justify">calcium</li><li class="ql-align-justify">magnesium</li><li class="ql-align-justify">chloride</li><li class="ql-align-justify">bicarbonate</li></ul>

What Are Electrolytes? 

In addition to regulating fluids, electrolytes have many functions. These include:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">transmitting nerve signals from the heart, muscles, and nerve cells to other cells</li><li class="ql-align-justify">building new tissue</li><li class="ql-align-justify">supporting blood clotting</li><li class="ql-align-justify">keeping your heart beating by electrically stimulating muscle contractions</li><li class="ql-align-justify">maintaining the blood’s pH level</li><li class="ql-align-justify">regulating the fluid level in blood plasma. </li></ul>

What Are the Functions Of Electrolytes 

Electrolytes need to exist in the body within a specific range. If levels become too high or low, an <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/how-to-prevent-an-electrolyte-imbalance">electrolyte imbalance</a> can occur. An imbalance may result from:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Dehydration. Excessive sweating can cause electrolyte imbalances if they’re not replaced.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Kidney function. Certain conditions, such as chronic kidney disease can cause high levels of potassium. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Other conditions. People with <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/type-1-diabetes-causes-symtoms-treatments">type 1 diabetes</a>, older individuals, and those with eating disorders may also be prone to getting an electrolyte imbalance.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Medications. Such as :</li><li class="ql-indent-1 ql-align-justify">chemotherapy drugs</li><li class="ql-indent-1 ql-align-justify">beta-blockers</li><li class="ql-indent-1 ql-align-justify">laxatives</li><li class="ql-indent-1 ql-align-justify">corticosteroids</li><li class="ql-indent-1 ql-align-justify">diuretics</li></ul>

Electrolytes Imbalance 

If you have an electrolyte imbalance, you may experience some or all of these symptoms:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">muscle cramps, spasms, or twitching</li><li class="ql-align-justify">muscle weakness</li><li class="ql-align-justify">irregular or fast heartbeat</li><li class="ql-align-justify">headache</li><li class="ql-align-justify">extreme thirst</li><li class="ql-align-justify">numbness</li><li class="ql-align-justify">fatigue or lethargy</li><li class="ql-align-justify">confusion or disorientation</li><li class="ql-align-justify">change in blood pressure</li><li class="ql-align-justify">seizure</li></ul>Symptoms may also show up slowly depending on which electrolyte level is too high or too low.For example, too little calcium may eventually lead to weakening bones and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoporosis">osteoporosis </a>

Symptoms Of Electrolytes Imbalance 

<ul><li>Eat a balanced, healthy diet which includes foods that contain electrolytes.</li><li>Drink plenty of water, but don’t overdo it. Drinking too much fluid can flush electrolytes out of your system.</li><li>Don’t overuse over-the-counter diuretics or take them for a prolonged period of time without your doctor’s approval.</li><li>Don’t overuse salt. Even though sodium is an electrolyte, eating too much can throw your system off balance.</li><li>Try to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise during the hottest times of day.</li><li>Don’t exercise indoors without air conditioning, especially if you start to sweat profusely.</li></ul>

Several Strategies To Help Keep Your Electrolytes In Balance

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Replenish yourself with fluids such as water or sports drinks after several hours of strenuous activity, or after very intense workouts of shorter duration.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Talk to your doctor about the medications you’re taking, and ask if any of them can be replaced if you’re noticing an imbalance. Make sure to ask about both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.</li></ul>

Several Strategies To Help Keep Your Electrolytes In Balance 

Electrolytes are found in all kinds of foods, including fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, avocados, and bananas. Electrolytes help our body to function, and we lose them when we sweat a lot during exercise and become dehydrated.