Water and electrolytes in the human body

Electrolytes are a series of minerals that are present in urine, blood plasma, tissues and other fluids of our body. They are so called because they help to conduct electrical impulses inside our body, being of great utility in the normal functioning of our muscles, organs and nerves. There is a great relationship between water consumption and electrolytes in our body, this relationship is called water-electrolyte balance. The water-electrolyte balance helps us to know a series of elements that indicate our degree of hydration. This balance can be affected as a result of various phenomena such as diseases or destabilizations in our body.

During the development of this guide, we will be delving into the relationship between electrolytes and the water we consume. Likewise, we will see what role these minerals play in the normal functioning of our body and how important it is to know about the water-electrolyte balance if we want to improve our quality of life.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes, as we said before, are minerals that are present in tissues, liquids such as urine, blood plasma, among others. These minerals fulfill a series of essential functions for the normal functioning of the physical and chemical processes that take place inside our body. Electrolytes contribute to the transportation of nutrients needed by our cells, participate in the elimination of cellular wastes, work in balancing the pH of our body and the amount of water present in it, as well as participate in the transmission of electrical impulses inside our body.

Phosphate, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, among others, are part of the existing electrolytes, which are acquired through the consumption of food and beverages daily.

Loss of electrolytes

The loss of electrolytes can be caused by different factors, one of the most common is the performance of high exercise loads. When we exercise, the electrolytes present in our body decrease as a result of fluid loss, sweating or the consumption of our muscles. These electrolytes must be replenished after each training session, so it is advisable to maintain an adequate fluid intake and a balanced food intake. On some occasions, different mineral supplements can be used in order to accelerate this process. If this is your case, you should consult a specialist to evaluate whether your requirements are sufficient to need them.

Electrolytes also decrease when taking certain medic