FITNESS AUTHOR
Stephanie Thomas
REPLENISH YOUR ELECTROLYTES n Six natural foods (and two drinks!) that will ensure you’re getting the electrolytes you need.
E
veryone knows that when you work up a sweat, you have to drink water to rehydrate your body. What you may not know, however, is that you also need to replenish lost electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride that conduct an electrical charge when mixed with water. Your heart, brain and muscles need those sparks of electricity to function — literally. They are vital to a variety of bodily functions including nerve and muscle function, pH balance, energy production, blood pressure
SEPTEMBER 2021
regulation and hydration. Electrolytes aren’t just important for athletes either. Everyone loses electrolytes through urine and sweat every day, so you need a steady supply to replenish them. While sports drinks like Gatorade are wellknown for providing plentiful electrolytes, they’re also full of sugar and are not typically the healthiest of choices. Thankfully, the following natural, nutritious and delicious foods (and drink options) can provide the minerals your body needs — without the added sugar.
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1. Bananas
Bananas are not only a great grab-and-go snack, but they’re also hydrating, easily digestible and chock-full of replenishing electrolytes like potassium. There’s even research to show that eating bananas before or after a big workout can help keep you energized and fueled.
