Tag: electrolytes

With temperatures soaring past 100 degrees, staying hydrated is important.  Drinking plenty of water is crucial, however, you aren’t just losing H2O when you sweat, you are losing key electrolytes. Electrolytes aid in a number of vital bodily processes. Many heart and nerve functions, muscle control and coordination, and the body’s ability to absorb fluids all depend on a healthy balance of electrolytes. The most common electrolytes found in the human body are sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium.

So you can see how important it would be to make sure that you maintain a good balance of water and electrolytes.  Here are some tips to stay healthy in this heat.

• Minimize exercise outside.  Early morning and late evening are better times to be outside, when it is a little cooler.
• Eat plenty of fluids.  Fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe are not only delicious but are mostly water.
• Drink water with electrolytes. If you find yourself outside and sweating, add an electrolyte mix to your water.  My favorite is Emergen-C. They are very convenient and come in a variety of flavors. (And they are on sale until tomorrow.)