Aside from all the elements our bodies need in order to function normally, there is another element we should think about which is the electrical tension inside our bodies that enables transmission of nutrients into specific cells.

Called an electric tension (and muscles, blood and nerve cells are considered electric tissues), Electrolytes facilitate the transmission of ingredients from and to our cells and control the pressure inside and outside the cells. This affects the amount of water in the body and its absorption, the elasticity of the blood and the behavior of nerve cells.

Acute imbalance of electrolytes in the body, as in the case of dehydration or over – hydration may cause serious health problem and even lead to death. Some college hazing rituals a few years made it all too clear. A student was forced to drink huge amounts of water that disturbed the electrolyte balance of his body and led to his death.

Electrolytes are found in sports drinks and contain sugars, salts and potassium. They are meant to replenish the body and return it to its normal balance. After a long and strenuous physical activity, the body loses some of those important elements by sweating them out. Same thing happens when a child is sick and vomits frequently. Not only water is lost and needs to be replenished but also those important elements we rarely think about.

Electrolytes drinks can be made at home by using the correct measures of sugar, salt, potassium and baking soda dissolved in water. However the professional electrolyte drinks include also sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium.

Bodybuilders are very careful about the amount of electrolytes in their bodies. A long exercise session of 3 hours or more requires special consideration because their bodies will not perform at the top of their abilities if the blood is too thick from loss of water and muscle and nerve cells cannot get the proper nutrition. Mothers know that their child may get to a hospital after a simple episode of vomiting if they did not get enough electrolytes back in their systems.

That is why you can find electrolyte drinks in aisles that cater to small children and infants. Those drinks contain the right amounts of elements needs for a small size body to function. That is an important factor you should consider when dieting. Eliminating all the sugars and all the salts from your nutrition can cause a damage that will not be easy to reverse.