Sources Of Electrolytes: Which Drink Provides More Electrolytes

In this project, I will investigate which drink provides more electrolytes: Gatorade, orange juice, coconut water, or spring water. Most experts agree that if you are participating in moderate exercise, drinking water should do the trick. But if you are exercising vigorously, you also need to replenish some of the salts that your body loses through sweat. These salts are called electrolytes. Water provides the liquid you need to avoid dehydration, but it does not have electrolytes. Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are present in sweat. Chloride, calcium, and phosphate ions are also electrolytes.

An electrolyte is a substance that will dissociate into ions in a solution, which are found in most sports drinks. Electrolytes are some of the most complex nutrients. Electrolytes are positively or negatively charged ions that conduct electrical activity. In the body electrolytes must be present in proper concentrations in order to maintain fluid balance, muscle contraction and neural activity. The kidneys work to maintain electrolyte balance by conserving or excreting electrolytes. Water is drawn to locations where electrolytes are most concentrated. Therefore, electrolytes play an important role in maintaining the balance of water throughout the body, particularly during exercise when electrolytes and water can be lost through sweating.

Electrolytes lost in high concentrations through sweat include sodium and chloride, while electrolytes lost in low concentrations include potassium, magnesium and calcium. Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses across themselves and to other cells. When you exercise, you notice sev...

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