Electrolytes: what are they for and when are they useful?

What exactly are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids. Sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride are some of them. They are involved in particular in water balance and the functioning of muscles and nerves. They are therefore not a recent invention in the world of sport: your body already uses them, every day.

Food and drinks provide it naturally. A product for athletes simply offers another format: a powder to mix, for example, with quantities indicated per serving. The useful question is not “do you absolutely have to take it?” ”, but “in what situations does this format correspond to my practice?” ".

One point avoids a lot of confusion: minerals and energy do not mean the same thing. Electrolytes do not replace a meal or the energy intake necessary for a long sporting day. Reading the composition remains more informative than a name evoking the performance.

Why do we talk about it so much in sport?

When you sweat, you lose water and minerals, especially sodium. A long session, high heat or heavy sweating can make a more thoughtful hydration strategy worthwhile. However, the needs are not identical from one athlete to another, nor from one session to another.

Imagine two outings: a leisurely stroll in cool weather and a long summer hike. The same bag, the same bottle and the same person do not mean the same conditions. It is this difference in context that you must look at before choosing your drink.

A drink based on electrolytes can then find its place as a practical format with known composition. It does not exempt you from providing sufficient accessible water, breaks and suitable grip. In high heat, adapting the session remains a priority over the choice of a supplement.

In what situations should they be considered?

When the session requires organization

An outing that takes you away from home, a workout in the gym where you sweat a lot or a long sports day justifies preparing your drink rather than deciding at the last moment. Locate your filling points, the capacity of your bottle and the actual drinking occasions.

Conversely, water and usual meals may be sufficient for a short, low-sweat activity. Knowing when to use a product also allows you to better appreciate it: a relevant routine is a chosen routine, not a list of obligatory accessories.

When the format makes your preparation easier

The individual stick slips into a pocket or bag without carrying a large jar. You know the prepared portion and you can keep the bag closed until mixing. That convenience counts when your workout starts after work or away from your kitchen.

For guidance on when to take electrolytes, see our guide before, during or after sport.

How to prepare BreathersBliss electrolytes?

The BreathersBliss Cherry Limeade electrolytes are available in 30 sticks of 7 g, cherry and lime flavor. Each stick provides 600 mg of sodium, 250 mg of potassium and 50 mg of magnesium, according to the product sheet.

• Pour 300 to 500 ml of cold water into a clean glass or bottle.
• Add a 7 g stick.
• Mix thoroughly or shake tightly closed container.
• Respect the indication of one sachet per day and the instructions on the packaging.

For the same quantity of powder, 300 ml gives a more intense taste and 500 ml a lighter tasting drink. The quantity of minerals contained in the stick remains the same. This preparation volume is not a recommendation for water consumption for your entire day.

Store the sticks in a cool, dry place. Close the large bag after opening and avoid leaving your reserve in a damp bag. These simple gestures make the format really practical throughout the sessions.

The three confusions to avoid

More dose does not mean better adapted. Look at the recommended portion before comparing figures. Accumulating several mineral-rich products is not an automatic way to improve your routine.

A drink with electrolytes is not necessarily isotonic. This qualification concerns the concentration of the prepared drink, not just the presence of sodium or magnesium. Our comparison of water, electrolytes and isotonic drink helps you distinguish between these uses.

Unusual discomfort cannot be diagnosed with a stick. Persistent fatigue or discomfort merits appropriate advice. In case of kidney disease, salt restriction or treatment affecting minerals, seek advice before using this type of product.