8 Reasons Why You Should Maintain an Electrolyte-Rich Diet This Summer

In today’s modern world, nutrients are a lot easier to come by than for our previous generations. There are now plenty of fortified foods and beverages that provide individuals with what’s needed to maintain a balanced diet and proper nutrition/hydration. For instance, many drinks on the market are properly fortified with electrolytes for those with active lifestyles. This is important because electrolytes play a critical role in the body. Key electrolytes utilized in the body include calcium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonate, and magnesium. Electrolytes are often lost through sweat or other biochemical reactions and should be replenished regularly. They're just as important as vitamins and other nutrients.

But, What Do Electrolytes Exactly Do?

Our bodies store electrolytes in one of three places: inside the cells, outside the cells or in the blood. Having these minerals in various storage helps the body evenly distribute water, to control bloating and fluid retention. When electrolytes are dissolved in the blood, they are able to conduct electricity. These charges create electrical impulses to control many functions in the body, such as "firing" electricity to contract your muscles, control your heart's rhythm and regulate the function of nerve cells.

Consuming electrolytes is kind of like paying your electricity bill. Consuming a diet rich in electrolytes ensures that you'll supply a steady current of electricity to keep your heartbeat in rhythm and your muscles contracting comfortably without any cramping. Electrolytes are almost as important as plain water when it comes to increasing and maintaining hydration levels, especially during summertime activities. Much like not paying your electricity bill will lead to a dim house without lights, skimping on electrolytes in the diet will disrupt the electrical impulses of your cells, which could potentially lead to muscle cramping or even a heart arrhythmia.

Most people get enough electrolytes from the daily foods and beverages they take in. In some instances, electrolyte beverages such as sports drinks may be a good way for you to quickly replace fluids, carbohydrates, and electrolytes that you lost during extreme activity.

Here are 8 reasons and benefits for you to stay properly hydrated this summer:

• Optimize your athletic potential

• Lead to the proper functioning of your nerves and muscles

• Assist in the maintenance of a cooler body temperature

• Allow you to think clearly and quickly

• Result in an adequate energy level

• Reduce the likelihood of cramps

• Allow your heart to work more efficiently

• Result in an accurately perceived intensity level

Proper hydration is a key component in making sure you have a successful summer training in terms of being physically prepared for each workout and properly recovered at all times. A study published in 2015 Asker Jeukendrup & Michael Gleeson at Humankinetics, suggests that “A loss of sweat equal to 2% of body weight causes a noticeable decrease of physical and mental performance. Losses of 5% or more of body weight during physical activities may decrease the capacity for work by roughly 30%”. Therefore we can conclude that the lack of proper hydration will cause major damage to your athletic performance as shown. Making sure you are always replenishing fluid and electrolytes if you are engaged in a physical activity is a must if you are looking to perform at optimum levels.”

Check it out!

Many professional athletes endorse the use of sports drinks to better prepare them for a tough workout and to stay properly hydrated at all times. World Championship finalist and American triple jump star Chris Carter also agrees that it is vital that we prepare our bodies in the best way possible before going into a summer workout session. “By consuming Sports Drinks such as Hydra-Guard before, during and after my workouts, I make sure I am ready to take it to the next level and be prepared for my workouts, and everyday lifestyle avoiding cramps and preparing me to perform at the highest level at all times,” says Chris.

Hydra-Guard Sports Drink is a great way of replenishing your essential electrolytes after a workout but keeping the calorie count low and consuming only 5g of natural sugars per bottle. If you want to check out the online store, you can use the code JUMPCARTER10 for a discount on your checkout.