You’ve no doubt heard about electrolytes. They’re in everything from bottled water and sports drinks to hydration mixes like our new Earthy Andy Hawaiian Hydration. But you may be asking: “What are electrolytes?” and “Do I need electrolytes?” Here’s what you need to know. 

What are electrolytes? 

Electrolytes are essential minerals that the body needs for critical everyday functioning. But they’re not your average minerals. Electrolytes are minerals that have an electric charge when dissolved in water or in body fluids like blood. This is why they’re called ELECTRO-lytes. The most common electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium.

Having an electric charge may sound odd, but it’s not so odd when you think about all the functions in the body that work because of normal electrical impulses or activity. Electrolytes are essential to these functions. These functions include:

1. moving nutrients into, and waste out of, cells
2. muscles contracting and relaxing
3. normal functioning of nerves and the nervous system
4. contracting of the heart and a steady heart rate and rhythm
5. regulating the balance of fluids in the body
6. supporting a healthy metabolism
7. restoring and/or maintaining body hydration
8. balancing the body’s pH levels (the measure of acidity and alkalinity). 

Try Earthy Andy Hawaiian Hydration with 5 minerals for balanced hydration and prebiotics for gut health.

Getting enough electrolytes 

Here’s the thing about electrolytes: your body cannot produce what it needs. The body must get adequate electrolytes from outside sources like food and drink. There are several ways to get electrolytes:

1. Drink plenty of water. Plain water contains some natural electrolytes, like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, but it’s often not enough. This is particularly the case if you’re active throughout the day and/or engaged in prolonged exercise (longer than an hour), say a long bout at the gym or a race like a 5k or a triathlon. Also, water may not be enough if you’re already dehydrated.
2. Eat a whole foods diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain electrolytes, as do other whole foods like dairy and fish. But if you’re eating too many processed foods and not enough whole foods in a healthy, balanced diet, you may not be getting the electrolytes you need from food alone.

When considering if you need electrolytes, give your daily activity and diet an honest look. If you’re not getting enough of what you need, you may want to supplement with electrolytes. (You may also need a complete daily multi-vitamin like our Multi-Guard+ with essential nutrients, antioxidants, and mood-boosting nootropics like ashwagandha.)

1. Drink electrolyte drinks. Many of these prepared drinks contain electrolytes, but they also tend to high in artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. Many are also chock-full of sugar. Too much sugar and junk and not enough of the right electrolytes may not be giving your body what it needs.

That’s why we at NBPure decided to fill the gap. We wanted to formulate a zero sugar, natural, pure electrolyte drink with no artificial anything. The natural Tropical Fruit Punch flavors in our new Earthy Andy Hawaiian Hydration are extracted from whole foods.

We also wanted to create a hydration mix so clean and natural that we would feel comfortable giving it to our kids. Our new Hawaiian Hydration product is all this and more. It tastes delicious, gives your body the electrolytes it needs, and has none of the bad stuff in it. What’s more, it’s cruelty free, non-GMO, and gluten free. And yes, our kids love it, too!

1. Add electrolytes to your water. By adding electrolytes to your water, as with our new Earthy Andy Hawaiian Hydration mix, you’re getting essential minerals in the right balance. This includes calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium, and potassium. Plus, the calcium and magnesium are chelated for easy absorption by the body.

What’s more, our Hawaiian Hydration contains prebiotic inulin from organic agave for a gut-friendly electrolyte drink that won’t cause bloating as some electrolyte drinks can. 

When do you need electrolytes? 

Your body always needs electrolytes. But we can lose electrolytes through sweat and urine, as well as through diarrhea and vomiting. This is why if you’ve been sick, it’s a good idea to replenish with clean electrolytes. 

And this is why, if you’re very active or are active in hot, humid weather where you’re more likely to be sweating, you may need to supplement with electrolytes, too. Those white stains on clothes from sweat? Those are electrolytes!

You may also need more electrolytes if you experience these symptoms for no other reason:

1. Fatigue
2. Headaches
3. Nausea
4. Muscle cramps
5. Low energy
6. Muscle weakness

Bottom line: electrolytes are critical for a healthy, balanced body. If you need more, you’ll want to try our new Earthy Andy Hawaiian Hydration. It has the right balance of minerals, no sugar, nothing artificial, and whole foods-derived Tropical Punch flavoring. Trust us, you’ll love it as much as we (and our kids) do!