Water Is Essential, but Not Enough to Keep You Hydrated

Water is the primary component of bodily fluids and plays a crucial role in many of the body's metabolic processes. It regulates body temperature, aids in digestion, and helps transport nutrients and oxygen to cells. Consuming adequate amounts of water daily is essential, we all know that — but we also need electrolytes too if we really want to ensure proper hydration*.

Why Are Electrolytes Important for Hydration?

Electrolytes are essential minerals in our bodies that have an electrical charge. Their unique chemical properties help balance and regulate bodily fluids and support muscle and nerve function.

Throughout the day, our bodies use and lose electrolytes. For instance, we lose sodium through the skin when we sweat. Though water contains trace amounts of electrolytes, it won't be enough to keep you hydrated over an extended period of time. At times, more electrolytes are required to restore the body's optimal state to avoid dehydration.

The Top 4 Times You Need More Electrolytes

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. When we become dehydrated, water is still essential, but our bodies will need electrolytes to recover more quickly. The severity of dehydration depends on various factors, such as the intensity of physical activity, climate, diet, and other underlying health conditions.

When do you need electrolytes the most?

1. After an Intense Workout 

We sweat out a significant amount of fluids after an intense workout. Exercising during hot weather can make our body lose about 3 liters of water per hour. Sweat isn't just water; it's also made up of sodium and other electrolytes. So, chugging plenty of water may quench your thirst, but it won't be enough to rehydrate your cells*.

In fact, drinking too much water may lead to hyponatremia — a condition where your body retains water but flush out all essential minerals, particularly sodium.

If you do a lot of exercise or endurance activities, especially in hot environments, it’s best to slide in a packet of electrolyte powder like Root’d to add to your drink instead of just chugging plenty of plain water. It's necessary to replace both the fluid and electrolytes; otherwise, you're gonna risk feeling like crap (and who wants that?

2. While Pregnant

Morning sickness affects roughly 70% of pregnant moms. Common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, increased sweating, and frequent bathroom trips, which speed up the loss of water and electrolytes. Worse, heartburn and indigestion make eating uncomfortable and less enjoyable, so replacing lost nutrients with food alone can be a real struggle during pregnancy. 

We highly recommend taking prenatal vitamins with electrolytes to help you replenish lost fluids and vital electrolytes to relieve dehydration quickly. 

3. When On a Restricted Diet Like Keto

The Keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that promotes weight loss and improved overall health by putting the body into ketosis — a state in which it burns fat for energy rather than carbs. During this process, the body produces ketones, which may increase urine frequency and lead to dehydration. 

The restricted carbohydrate intake on a keto diet can lead to lower levels of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Supplementing your diet with a keto-friendly multivitamin can help alleviate electrolyte deficiency. Just remember that not all supplements are created equal. Some vitamins, such as gummies, contain an insane amount of sugar that slows down the absorption of nutrients instead of boosting hydration in your body*. (More on this below)

4. During Senior Years

As we age, our bodies become less efficient in absorbing and regulating body fluids. Certain medications used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes (which are common among seniors) can cause the body to excrete more electrolytes than usual.

Due to slower metabolism, dental issues, and other inevitable changes brought by aging, getting all the essential nutrients from food alone becomes more challenging.

Staying healthy and hydrated can take more effort for older adults, so choosing the best supplement for senior is vital to prevent malnutrition and dehydration. 

Don’t Fall For “So-Called” Healthy Electrolyte Drinks (Slash Sports Drinks)

Sports drinks are popular among athletes and are often promoted to hydrate and replenish electrolytes lost during intense physical activity. However, these “so-called” electrolyte-infused beverages often contain high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients, which can cause more harm than good.

3 Reasons Sugar-Filled Electrolytes Can Cause More Harm Than Good

1. Causes Weight Gain

A study conducted on a specific age group revealed that sports drinks could produce more fat than sodas. Researchers found that those who regularly consumed one soda a day gained an additional two pounds of weight, whereas those who consumed at least one sports drink a day gained extra three and a half pounds of fat on their bodies. 

When too much sugar is in the bloodstream, the pancreas releases insulin, which allows sugar to enter cells. Sugar may provide short-term energy for cells, but excess sugar is stored as fat.

2. Triggers Dehydration

While you may feel instantly recharged after gulping a bottle of Gatorade or taking a Liquid IV, their high sugar content actually pulls out more water from your body*. It’s because as the concentration of sugar increases, water moves out of cells to balance the concentration of sugar outside of the cell — also known as osmotic stress response.

3. Reduces Cell Function

Since water comprises approximately 70% of the cell content, osmotic stress can cause critical cell damage that can lead to various health issues depending on the type of cell and the extent of the impairment. For example, if nerve cells are damaged, it can lead to problems with movement, sensation, or cognitive function.

Hydrate Better With Root’d

In most cases, the human body is good at maintaining fluid balance. But when we're in a state of dehydration, drinking water is not enough — we also need an extra boost of electrolytes!

But hey! Before reaching for a bottle of sports drinks, remember that their high sugar content slows down water absorption into the bloodstream even more. What you need is a sugar-free electrolyte supplement like Root'd!

Root'd upgrades your hydration game by providing 3X electrolytes PLUS a bunch of other essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and organic superfoods. It’s chock full of the natural and most active form of vitamins for much better absorption.

Ready to level up your hydration game?

Shop Root’d now, and get 15% off your first order with code Better-Hydration. Always free shipping, and if you don’t feel a noticeable difference in 24 days, just let us know, and it’s on us! That’s our love guarantee!