Natural Electrolytes: A Great Investment for the Continuation of Your Activities

When considering the rising temperatures specific to the Australian summer months, and the intensity of the physical activities we all subject ourselves to from time to time, the utilisation of natural electrolytes is, for many of us, not optional, but rather a necessity for the optimum continuation of our daily tasks. Electrolyte supplements are a fantastic idea, not because they are cheap and widely available, but rather because they are an absolute requirement for maintaining our body’s critical functions.

Natural electrolytes help with hydration and are necessary in order to retain the body’s pH levels and regulate the fluids entering our cells. Plus, electrolytes are essential for our muscle function, they support the health of our heart, help carry electrical signals inside our complex nervous system, and they are essential for recovery after intense physical exercises. But we live in Australia, most of us sweat a lot, and for this reason, a significant percentage of us occasionally need to handle the side effects of electrolyte imbalance.

Why Do We Lose Electrolytes?

The human body doesn’t want to lose electrically charged ions like chloride, calcium, magnesium, potassium or sodium, but in order to adapt to the hot climate in which we developed as persistent hunters, we evolved a cooling solution that, in terms of thermoregulation, is one of the most effective mechanisms seen in the mammalian families. In order to cool ourselves, the human skin releases sweat, which is then evaporated and contributes to thermal regulation.

Sweat is largely water, but it also contains sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium, since these charged ions are found in extracellular fluid. Realistically, we can’t sweat only pure water, as this would lead to the accumulation of salts in the body and we would develop hypernatremia. Plus, water follows electrolytes, and if we were to sweat only pure water, our body’s osmotic balance could put stress on our cells, potentially causing them to break.

It’s A Consequence of Our Evolution

Realistically speaking, the body doesn’t want to lose electrolytes. But in situations in which cooling is a necessity, electrolyte dissipation via sweating is a trade-off that simply makes sense. Plus, compared to other mammals, humans are actually surprisingly efficient in retaining a good electrolyte baseline, even after intense exercise that strains our sudoriferous gland system.

For example, 1 litre of human sweat typically contains around 1g of sodium. Meanwhile, 1 litre of horse sweat can have a concentration of around 3.5 to 5g of sodium. We evolved to lose less sodium and other natural electrolytes during episodes of intense physical activity because these gave us an advantage when chasing our prey. One underrated adaptation of our evolutionary cycle is that we adapted to run long distances without becoming hyponatremic. Moreover, there is evidence that our earliest ancestors had low-sodium diets, and therefore, the preservation of electrolytes was essential for our survival.

Why Should You Purchase Your Electrolyte Supplements Online?

I live in Maitland, and unfortunately, for some reason or another, I can’t for the life of me find a local shop that actually commercialises high-quality natural electrolytes near me. Therefore, the only way I can obtain the supplements I need for after-gym recovery is via the online route. But I’m okay with that, as online shops specialised in electrolyte supplements have access to a variety of brands and formulations that you can’t usually find even in Melbourne or Sydney-based stores.

A couple of years ago, I discovered a sports drink called “Pickle Juice” that was produced in Texas, and, at the time, around 2019, I was only able to find it in the catalogue of specialised online shops. Nowadays, you can find it anywhere, but the online route is still more than a bit useful if you are looking for specific hydration mixes, formulas high in magnesium or potassium, or if you are looking for sugar-free electrolyte beverages produced here, in Australia.

A Way to Save Up on Cash

I do like the convenience of getting the electrolyte powders that interest you on the way to work, or while doing your daily errands. But online shops are often more convenient when it comes to price, especially when getting products in bulk. On top of that, personally, I tend to prefer the offers of online stores due to the ability to compare products’ ingredients, and read nutritional facts with ease.

Now granted, you might prefer the convenience of local shops, and you don’t care much about reading other users’ reviews, or finding other brands that may be a better value. But, for the vast majority of people, online stores are a choice to consider, and getting the products that interest you, delivered right on your doorstep, is convenient to say the least.

Electrolyte Drinks or Something Else?

Natural electrolytes are necessary if you are involved in high-intensity sports, you are an avid gym goer, or you extensively work outdoors and you have no way to prevent sweating and shield yourself from the sun. That said, if you are interested in electrolyte supplements, you will have a choice to make: either go for electrolyte drinks, powder mixes, or tablets.

Electrolyte drinks are convenient, tasty, and widely available. They are perfect for after-gym recovery, they have a decently long shelf-life, and they are the best choice available if taste variety is your main priority. Powders, on the other hand, are often more cost-effective, more lightweight, and in some cases, they can be a more flexible choice. At the same time, electrolyte pills are the best available choice for travelling, and it’s the easiest way to get your natural electrolytes without also ingesting added sugars or preservatives.

What electrolyte supplements should you choose? It’s honestly up to you. Personally, I go for all. When I’m at the gym, I prefer electrolyte beverages as 1) I like the taste and 2) I have no issues carrying them around in my gym bag. At home, I usually go for powder mixes, as I can blend them in a smoothie, and when travelling abroad, I typically go for electrolyte pills, as they are convenient to carry around. That said, your preference might be different. There’s no real right or wrong answer here, if we’re honest about it.