What are electrolytes in energy drinks, and why do I need them when exercising?
Having enough electrolytes in your system when exercising is vital, having a deficit in these elements will cause fatigue and cramps. Doing long-duration endurance training your body will start to heat up. This rate will depend on the intensity of your training as well as air temperature. When your core temperature starts to rise you will begin to sweat. When your sweat evaporates from your skin energy is being used and this loss of energy cools the surface of your skin.
Sweat consists mainly of water, sodium (salt), potassium, and uric acid. The longer the duration of training the more you will lose these elements through sweating. Especially water, sodium, and potassium are vital for your muscles to function. Sodium is an electrolyte which means it’s a charged mineral ion and is needed to conduct nerve impulses together with potassium. These impulses contract and relax muscle fibers.
When your sodium starts to run low during a long-running or cycling session your muscles will start to twitch or cramp up caused by overstimulation of nerve impulses to the muscle. Drinking electrolyte fluids restores these vital minerals and the water content hydrate you, restoring plasma concentrations. Water from sweating comes from the fluid in your veins (blood plasma). When your blood plasma volume drops too much it will affect the working of your red blood cells to transport oxygen to your working muscles which will handicap you.
