Question

You are coaching a little league team and are playing a double-header on a very hot day. One of your players, a very curious 13 year old girl wonders why Gatorade advertises the presence of electrolytes in their beverages as beneficial to athletes. How would you explain to your player that electrolyte and water balance in the body are dependent upon each other? Be sure to let her know how we acquire water and electrolytes, their importance within the body, and how we regulate that balance in varying conditions.

Answer 1

Electrolytes are basically substances that conduct electricity when dissolved in water and are important for various functions of tghe body.

Some of the basic functions of electrolytes in the body are:

• Regulate nerve functions
• Regulate muscle funtions
• Balance blood aciity and pressure
• Repair damaged cells

The functioning of nerves and muscles is dependent on conduction of electrolytes dissolved in fluid through the cells.

Examples of electrolytes in the body are:

• sodium
• calcium
• magnesium
• potassium
• bicarbonates

Since electrolytes can conducted only when dissolved in water, they are dependent on the water balance in our body too. Any imbalance can lead to muscle weakness or ineffective contractions. electrolytes can chang in our body in relation with water. Loss of electrolytes occurs naturally through sweating, defecation or by vomitng. Hence the balance has to be maintined by adequate intake of electrolytes.

Electrolytes can be consumed through our diet or by drinking electrolyte rich drinks such as gatorade. Some of the foods include tomato, salt, lettuc, olives, yogurt, milk, etc.