5 Tips For Buying Electrolytes

 

What should you consider when you buy electrolytes? Are there any tips you can follow to make sure you purchase the best electrolytes that will benefit your body the most? Keep reading for some helpful information about buying electrolytes, along with some useful tips!

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are electrically charged particles that are found in cells and can transmit electrical impulses between nerves and muscles. Electrolytes also help regulate many bodily functions, including muscle contraction, water balance, and blood pressure. Some electrolytes are sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl−), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), phosphate (), bicarbonate (), sulfate (), and hydrogen carbonate (). Others include carnitine, creatine, aldosterone, nitric oxide , ATP is required to form ADP from pyruvate. The energy in food is released by oxidation of organic molecules with oxygen as an electron acceptor.

Check Labels (All Of Them!)

When you buy electrolytes, don’t focus on just one label. Take a close look at nutrition labels (both Supplement Facts and ingredients lists) to make sure there are no hidden sugars or artificial ingredients. Many electrolyte products contain sugar-based sweeteners, artificial flavors, or other additives that can interfere with healthy eating habits and nutrient absorption; knowing what these are helps you avoid them in your diet. Aside from checking product labels, it's important to read about individual electrolytes as well—some are more suitable for certain needs than others.

Salt Isn’t Always Salt

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is often simply referred to as salt. But actually, it’s only one part of salt. Sodium in salt exists in a chemical compound with chlorine (an element) and is sometimes known as common table salt or NaCl. It’s not just found on tables, however. It’s also an ingredient in most processed foods because it enhances flavor while prolonging shelf life, and it’s used in all manner of food manufacturing, such as drying meat products and freezing fish sticks. That said, nearly all packaged foods include some salt—look at any label and you'll see that table salt is almost always listed near the top if ingredients list.

Don’t Be Fooled By Marketing Claims

When it comes to electrolyte supplements, there’s a difference between marketing claims and hard science. Some labels claim these pills have more of an electrolyte than others—when in reality there’s no such thing as a magic pill that can give you 100% of your daily recommended amounts. It’s best to work with a nutritionist or doctor who can help you figure out what your ideal dose is. Consuming too many electrolytes in supplement form could be harmful, especially if you don’t have something like diarrhea or dehydration that would normally lead to electrolyte loss. If you do purchase them on your own, opt for reputable brands from trusted retailers and be sure to follow package instructions closely.

Are They Made With Natural Ingredients?

Studies show that natural ingredients are more effective than synthetic alternatives and that they also produce fewer side effects. Any product you buy should clearly state how it's made—natural, synthetic, or a mix of both. If a manufacturer is cagey about it, then that should be a red flag. Also make sure to keep an eye out for ingredients with lots of syllables—they're likely chemicals. In most cases, you'll want to avoid those.