you’ve most likely been browsing the tv and caught an ad for a sports drink where a sweaty and hot athlete drinks a beverage after finishing a game or workout. while entertaining, they don’t give you a complete picture of how to use electrolyte drinks correctly. if you’re not sure whether you should drink your electrolytes before or after your workout, we’ll give you the answer below.
defining electrolytes
in the simplest form, electrolytes are minerals that your body dissolves using water and conduct electricity with a negative or positive charge. you can find electrolytes in vegetables and fruits, and they’re also in drinks like coconut water or milk. some people have deficiencies and must use electrolyte supplements by mixing a high-quality product like a thc yuzu + turmeric lemonade drink mix stick into water.
you need electrolytes to keep your fluid levels balanced and your body functioning in top shape, and you find them in your urine, sweat, and blood. your body uses electrolytes to maintain good muscle function, proper hydration, and nervous system function. they also help balance your internal ph levels, and there are seven types of electrolytes you find in your body, with sodium, potassium, and magnesium being the most important.
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magnesium
magnesium is one of the most common minerals in the body, and it plays a role in more than 600 cellular reactions. even though magnesium is essential, many americans don’t get enough in their daily diets to meet the standard guidelines. your body uses magnesium to keep your heart beating regularly, create dna, control your muscle contractions, and keep your brain in top shape, among other things.
potassium
you can find a decent amount of the body’s potassium in your muscle cells; the remaining is in your bones, liver, and red blood cells. potassium works with other electrolytes to help keep the fluid levels balanced in your cells. many americans fall short of getting enough potassium in their diets, and having a deficiency or imbalance can cause chronic diarrhea or vomiting.
sodium
sodium is arguably one of the most essential electrolytes out of the ones in your body because it helps balance and retain your internal fluid levels. you need sodium to stay hydrated, which is vital in keeping your nerve and muscle function healthy. most people get more than enough sodium from their diets, so you may not need a massive dose of your supplements. you lose sodium when you go to the bathroom or sweat; your kidneys adjust how much sodium you lose through your urine.
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what role do electrolyte drinks play?
high-quality electrolyte drinks or supplements, like cbd elderberry + hibiscus lemonade drink mix stick, can keep you from feeling excessively thirsty, and they can replenish any electrolytes you lose throughout the day via urine, sweat, vomiting, or diarrhea. many people know you can use electrolyte drinks or supplements after a game or working out, but you can also use them in several other ways.
electrolytes are essential for your body’s overall health and function, and when you have enough, you can stay focused more easily, do mental projects, and remember small details. if you have a hangover, electrolyte supplements can help ease any symptoms, and this is because it’s common to get dehydrated with your drink and deplete your body’s store of electrolytes. restoring the fluid balance in your body can reverse dehydration, reduce headaches, take away feelings of nausea and fatigue, and help lessen any joint or muscle pain you have.
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what are dehydration signs and symptoms?
you get dehydrated when your body loses fluid quicker than it takes in, stopping it from performing certain functions. younger children and the elderly are at the highest risk, but anyone can develop it. if you have mild to moderate dehydration, you can experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- dark yellow urine
- dizziness
- headache
- lightheadedness
- lower urine input
- mouth dry
- tiredness
severe dehydration is more dangerous, and this is where you start experiencing thirst instead of as an early dehydration symptom. the symptoms of severe dehydration are:
- reduced skin elasticity
- confusion
- blood pressure drop
- shock
- seizures
- lethargy
- coma
- rapid heart rate
- fever
- sunken eyes
if you have severe dehydration, you’ll need medical attention and iv fluids to restore fluid levels. you want to drink small amounts of water throughout the day to stave off dehydration, and remember, after a challenging workout, game, or being out in the sun, your body also needs electrolytes. if you only drink water, this can cause a condition known as hyponatremia, and this is where you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. to stay safe and hydrated, keep products like the thc yuzu + turmeric lemonade drink mix in a 5-pack on hand, which helps replenish necessary electrolytes.
do i drink electrolyte beverages before or after my workout?
how much you usually sweat and your workout type will decide if you drink electrolytes before or after your workout. if you sweat excessively, you want to drink them before your workout to prepare your body for it. this is especially important if you plan to work out for hours in a hot or humid location or a high-intensity session.
anyone doing a workout lasting longer than 60 to 90 minutes should drink electrolytes during training. you may also want to add carbohydrates as a snack mid-workout to keep your energy levels up.
generally speaking, most people drink electrolytes after they work out to replenish what they sweated out. plain water may do the trick to rehydrate you after a low-intensity or short workout, but if you work out for a long time or excessively sweat, you’ll want an electrolyte supplement. also, habitually replace your electrolytes before your workout if you’re training for an endurance event.
electrolyte faqs
1. are electrolyte drinks good after exercise?
yes, electrolyte drinks can help replenish lost minerals after you finish your exercise routine.
2. should you hydrate before or after exercise?
both, but it’s essential that you take time to hydrate before, during, and after exercise.
3. is it ok to drink electrolytes every day?
yes, but try to drink them in moderation and base how much you drink on your activity level and needs.