I apologise for my ignorance in advance. Why is it beneficial to add electrolytes to water for enhanced hydration and how do they contribute to hydration levels more than plain water?
In: Chemistry
If you’re someone in normal health and do fairly normal stuff daily, plain water is fine for hydration. Electrolytes are not really necessary most of the time because your body is fully capable of taking in a reasonable amount of plain water.
Adding electrolytes is necessary if you lose water very rapidly perhaps due to illness or extreme perspiration due to prolonged exertion and need to rehydrate quickly. In this case, the electrolytes help to maintain electrolyte balance in your blood. Too much plain water in too short a time can lead to low electrolyte levels which, in the extreme, can be fatal.
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