When you take on a long run, your body is working overtime to process oxygen and break down glycogen so you can finish strong. To give your body the support it needs, you should be drinking water along the way. A good electrolyte powder will help combat any dehydration or over-hydration.
Electrolytes are chemicals that allow fluid to pass through cell membranes; they also keep our bodies from retaining excess water. Supplying your body with electrolytes through drinks can ensure that it has everything it needs to perform optimally for extended periods. Due to this reason, take the best electrolyte powder for better performance.
- Why do we need electrolyte powders for running?
Running can be a great way to stay fit and healthy, but it can also cause your body to lose water and minerals through sweating. Rehydration sachets can help you replace those minerals during or after your run so you can push yourself longer and have fewer injuries. Electrolytes also play a role in regulating your body’s pH levels.
When you exercise, you lose minerals due to sweating, and your body’s pH level drops. Electrolytes keep your body’s pH level stable, preventing muscle cramps and spasms. Electrolyte powders can also be useful for those who suffer from GI disturbances. Electrolyte powders can help maintain your electrolyte levels and help prevent disturbances in the GI tract.
- How electrolyte powders work and their benefits
The best electrolyte powder comes in a few different forms, but they all contain minerals that help your body process sodium and hydrogen. The electrolytes in sports drinks are often added at a higher concentration than those found in most foods, meaning they’re digested more quickly and provide a quick energy boost.
The most common electrolyte powders contain potassium, magnesium, and/or sodium. Potassium helps your muscles contract, while sodium and magnesium are vital components of your nerve and muscle cells.
- Electrolyte powders can help your muscles recover faster so you can run or work out longer and with less soreness
- Electrolyte powders can also help prevent the risk of dehydration and fatigue
- Electrolyte powders can help replenish those minerals, preventing fatigue and allowing you to go longer between stops
- Should You Drink Electrolyte Powder or Sports Drink?
Drinking rehydration sachets can be helpful if you exercise longer than 90 minutes, especially in hot or humid weather, when you sweat more and lose more minerals. You may want to consider hydrating with a sports drink when your run is less than 90 minutes, or if the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you exercise for less than 90 minutes, or in cooler weather, you can easily replace your electrolytes by sipping water instead of drinking electrolyte powders. If you’re unsure, go with sipping water. You can always add in electrolyte powders if you start feeling thirsty.
Tips for choosing the right electrolyte powder
When choosing an electrolyte powder, you want to find one that contains the minerals you need in the right amounts. If your sport requires you to be in a certain hydration state, you may also want to consider a powder that measures drinks.
Find more information relating to best electrolyte powder here.
