You Need More Than Water

A lot of awareness has been created on the need to stay hydrated. We are bombarded with media messages regarding drinking plenty of water every day. What many people do not realize, however; is that drinking water alone will not ensure that you stay hydrated. Hydration is a much more complex process than simply replacing lost water. To stay properly hydrated requires that we replace both water and electrolytes.

Electrolytes are simply various minerals that when dissolved in water change its properties. One of these properties involves the conduction of electricity. You may remember from science class that pure water does not conduct electricity. When minerals are dissolved in the water, however, they allow the water to conduct electrical pulses. This is necessary for our body to work. Electrolytes are necessary for our nerves to conduct electrical pulses throughout our body.

To function properly, our cells need the right amount of water. The membrane of our cells acts as a gatekeeper allowing just the right amount of fluid in or out of the cell. Electrolytes are necessary for the membrane to function this way. Without them, the cell might take on too much water.