Do electrolytes help retain water or do they help absorb water? Also what even is an electrolyte?
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Electrolytes are chemicals such as sodium chloride (tabel salt, NaCl) that your body uses to regulate the amount of water in your blood and cells, and to control nerves and muscles. They are called electrolytes because the chemicals when dissolved in water can conduct an electric charge. Hydration is just keeping the water in your body. Electrolytes help water get into and stay in cells, and keeps blood from becoming too thick and gooey, and stops your muscles from siezing up or your nerves from twitching.
You lose a lot of electrolytes through sweating. So taking salt during exercise or work is a way to keep a proper amount of electrolytes in your body.
And in any discussion of electrolytes, it is essential to note that they are what plants crave. Althoug really, plants do not crave them.
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