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Are Electrolyte Drinks Actually Necessary? A โขdoctor’s Warning
For many, an electrolyte โขdrink has โขbecome a daily staple. On social media, fitness influencers โconstantly post about their favorite brands and flavours, and it’s starting to feel like electrolytes are โaโ health need rather than a want. Though,NHS Doctor and marathon runner Drโ Miranda Layton – โคalso known as โฃDr Mimi Runs – hasโค warned her followers about the potential risks of drinking to many electrolytes.
Inโ a recent โคInstagram Reel, Dr Mimi warned: “Here isโข what the โคfitness โขindustry doesn’t wantโค you to no: You might be drinking too many electrolytes. Most electrolyte drinks are highโ in โsodium – the same stuff we put on our food. Most people already getโ enough salt in their โdiet without factoring in all the salty electrolyte โฃdrinks.We certainly know that too much salt in the blood over time can raise your blood pressure,โค but in the short term, overconsumption of electrolytes can causeโ hazardous changes to your heart rhythm – especially if you’re not โactually dehydrated.”
When Should You Drink Electrolytes?
That isn’t toโ say all โelectrolytes are needless. When exercising for long periods, your body’s fluid balance can be affected,โฃ which can, in turn, affect performance.Electrolytes – charged minerals like sodium,potassium,and magnesium – help regulate fluid absorption,muscle contractions,nerve signals,and pH balance.They are vital, butโ easily lost through โฃsweat. โค
As Dr. Mimi suggests, it’s important to be mindful of your electrolyte intake. โข you don’t need to supplement if you’re โขnot losing significant โคfluids through intense activity. Overdoing it can be detrimental to โyour health.
electrolytes are minerals thatโข conduct electricity when dissolved in water [[1]]. These include salts, acids, andโ bases, and are crucial for various bodilyโฃ functions โฃ [[2]]. they help regulate everything from heart function to โnerve impulses [[3]].