By now most of us know that our bodies are mainly made up of water and that we need to stay hydrated at all times in order to remain healthy and for our bodies to function at their best.
What many individuals do not realise however, is that when we lose water due to exhalation, perspiration, urination and various other bodily functions, we are not only losing water but also oxygen and electrolytes.
Electrolytes are basically salts, specifically ions, which the body needs to function optimally. Electrolytes can be found virtually everywhere in the human body, and without them we cannot function at our best because electrolytes regulate blood pH, blood pressure, muscle and nerve functions, the body’s hydration, and the rebuilding of damaged tissue.
The major electrolytes that can be found in the human body are:
- Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
- Calcium (Ca2+)
- Chloride (Cl-)
- Magnesium (Mg2+)
- Phosphate (PO42-)
- Potassium (K+)
- Sodium (Na+)
- Sulphate (SO42-)
Interstitial fluid (fluid between cells), blood and plasma contain high levels of sodium chloride, which contains the electrolytes sodium ion (Na+) – cation and chloride ion (Cl-) – anion.
When we get hot we sweat, which is the body’s way of cooling itself and regulating core body temperature. Sweating makes us lose body fluids, including electrolytes, which affects the way that our body operates and the reason that we need to constantly drink water to replace the fluids that we have lost.
Even a mild loss of water can drastically affect the way your body performs. When one feels thirst for instance, the body is already around 3% dehydrated. For every 1% of body weight we lose in water-loss, the volume of the blood decreases by 2.5 %; the water in our muscles decreases by 1%, and our core body temperature can increase by 0.4 – 0.5° C which can be rather dangerous.
There is water in every single cell in the human body, and it is needed to perform all core bodily functions, so do not take a chance with your health; drink water regularly throughout the day, and more if it is hot or you are doing physical work or exercise.
Buy water coolers online or hire water coolers for your home or business in London. Get a free water cooler trial or a short term water cooler hire from Living-Water.
