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Energy Drinks with Electrolytes (Discussed)

Do you exercise daily? Yes! it sounds healthy. Also, it is a key factor for staying fit. But, do you know that strenuous workouts, cause your body to lose minerals and electrolytes in sweat?

Bottle of water on sport ground
Bottle of water on the sports ground

You lose electrolytes daily either through sweat or other bodily fluids. Also, in case of heavy workouts or vomits and diarrhea, you may lose more than expected electrolytes.

Sometimes, this loss can’t be recovered by a mineral-rich diet. The result is dehydration leading to fatigue and no energy.

Electrolytes are necessary for your body to regulate several important activities, such as neural communication, pH balance, muscular contraction, and hydration.

The electrolyte concentration in your blood and other body fluids is kept within a rigorous range. You can have serious health consequences if your electrolyte levels become too high or too low.

Therefore adding an electrolyte-rich drink can help. There are a few brands of energy drinks in the market that contains some of these electrolytes. But before you grab one, read this article to know which energy drink has electrolytes.

What are these ‘Electrolytes’?

By the word ‘Electrolytes‘, you might have got an idea that it is somewhat related to electricity. And you are right! Electrolytes are minerals that can pass an electric charge through them when mixed in water.

Electrolytes are minerals having a positive or negative electric charge. In a solution, an electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions.

The ions in the solution allow it to conduct electricity. Sweat contains electrolytes such as salt and potassium. Ions such as chloride, calcium, and phosphate are also electrolytes.

They can be found in your blood, urine, and sweat and are necessary for various processes that effectively keep your body functioning.

Following are the primary electrolytes in our body.

Here is a video to explain their importance and functions

What do electrolytes do to your body?

Electrolytes are essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, muscles, as well as internal body systems. They help our body to carry nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles and maintain adequate water and mineral balance.

An adult’s body is around 60% water, which indicates that electrolytes are present in almost every fluid and cell in our body.

Electrolytes are used by our cells to conduct electrical charges, that is how muscle contraction occurs. Those similar electrical charges aid in chemical reactions, including hydration and fluid balance inside and outside of cells.

Electrolytes help your body maintain chemical balance in your system. Ions (charged electrolytes) are used by our body to transfer chemical substances in and out of cells in the same way as electricity does in saltwater.

The following table explains the function of these electrolytes.

ElectrolyteFunctions
SodiumControl osmotic pressure and water percentage in the body, and send nerve impulses and muscle contractions.
PotassiumTransmits nerve signals and helps in muscle contraction including the heart.
MagnesiumHelps in Muscle contraction, bones and teeth formation, and enzyme activation.
CalciumNerve signals are sent, muscles are contracted, bones and teeth are formed, and blood clots are formed with the help of calcium.
ChlorideRegulates osmotic pressure and the body’s water content, allowing stomach acid secretion.
Functions of primary electrolytes in our body

What happens to your body when you are low on electrolytes?

When Electrolyte levels in your blood are low, an imbalance occurs. Disturbances in electrolytes can be damaging to your health.

Electrolyte imbalances are common as a result of dehydration caused by excessive heat, vomiting, or diarrhea. This is why, when it’s hot, having a rigorous gym routine, or when you’re unwell, you should be aware of replacing the lost fluids.

Some conditions, such as kidney disease, eating disorders, and serious burns, can also induce electrolyte abnormalities.

You will most likely not feel any symptoms if you have a minor electrolyte imbalance. Severe imbalances might result in symptoms such as;

  • fatigue
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Tingling and numbness
  • Confusion
  • Muscle twitching and cramping
  • Headache
  • Convulsions

The daily recommended intake for a healthy adult is given in the table below:

ElectrolyteRecommended intake, in milligrams (mg)
Sodium1,500
Potassium4,700
Calcium1,000
Magnesium320 for men, 420 for women
Chloride2,300
RDI value of Electrolytes

Do Electrolytes Give You Energy?

No, Electrolytes do not give you any energy. But they are critical precursors to energy-giving processes inside our body.

Carbohydrates, protein, and fat are the three basic nutrients for energy. However, the ability of your body to get energy from them is somewhat dependent on certain minerals and electrolytes.

Electrolytes provide hydration during strenuous activity so it facilitates you by preventing dehydration and fatigue.

Man Carrying Barbell
Man Carrying Barbell

What is the Best Way to Replenish Your Electrolytes?

When you sweat, your body loses a lot of water and electrolytes. So it’s critical to hydrate and restore those electrolytes post-workout.

It’s also a good idea to drink electrolytes if you’re sick, after vomiting, or have diarrhea, as your body loses a lot of water during these times.

Electrolyte intake is also especially important if you’re going out in the hot sun for an extended period, as the heat dehydrates you quickly.

There are several ways to keep yourself hydrated. A bottle of water can do the trick or otherwise following can help whenever you feel low on energy:

  • Coconut water
  • Watermelon
  • Smoothies
  • Electrolyte infused water
  • Sports drinks

Are Sports drinks and Energy Drinks the same?

No, they do not have the same ingredients and nutrition.

Sports drinks are flavored drinks that have carbs, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. Their main purpose is hydration when used along with plain water to benefit young athletes. Although, it hydrates you it is not recommended as a substitute for water.

Whereas Energy drinks contain stimulants, sugars, and proteins along with vitamins and electrolytes. The primary stimulant in energy drinks is caffeine.

Some brands also include Guarana, Ginseng, and Taurine. Some energy drinks can contain up to 14 times the amount of caffeine found in the average cola product. Energy drinks are not suggested for children, adolescents, and pregnant women.

Do energy drinks have Electrolytes?

Energy drinks also contain some electrolytes in them and can be used as a pre-workout.

Energy drinks supply you with energy and hydration by using stimulants and minerals in them. Sodium is most common in brands like Rockstar, Redbull, Full throttle, etc.

However, energy drinks may not offer electrolytes on their own, but they do contain ingredients that help enhance your electrolyte level. They usually supply you energy from the carbs in them as well as riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and B12, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and taurine.

Energy Drinks with electrolytes

Here are some notable brands that offer Energy drinks rich in electrolytes;

Raze

Raze is a product of a famous energy drink company in the USA. Aimed toward bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts as a pre-workout energy drink it can aid in boosting their physical performance.

A 16 oz. can of Raze Energy contains 15 milligrams of sodium and 55 milligrams of potassium.

Raze uses the ReFRESH technology, to boost your overall health by enhancing these five elements:

(F) Focus

(R) Recovery

(E) Energy

(S) Stamina

(H) Hydration

XS Energy Drink

XS energy drink Tropical Blast
XS energy drink Tropical Blast

XS is a product of Amway and what distinguishes this brand from other energy drinks is that it offers a variety of tastes in standard 8.4 fl. oz cans.

It offers 35 milligrams of both sodium and potassium per serving.

XS contains premium ingredients blend, herbs, and B vitamins. Per can, there are only 10 calories. The caffeine content per can is 80 mg, which is equivalent to a small cup of coffee.

Amino Energy (electrolyte version)

Amino Energy drinks
Amino Energy drinks

Amino Energy is one of Optimum Nutrition’s signature products, marketed as a pre-workout and anytime energy booster. It contains a blend of amino acids, naturally sourced caffeine, green tea, and green coffee, and it comes in a variety of unique flavors.

Amino energy electrolyte version comes with the addition of 440mg of sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, and potassium chloride. All these electrolytes come with a serving size of 9.5 oz. This version of Amino Energy is good as a pre-workout.

Conclusion

Electrolytes do have a role in your energy levels because, among other things, they assist your body to absorb water more efficiently. Hydration is important for energy levels.

Consider food and water to be the fuel in your engine, whereas electrolytes are the motor oil that keeps everything operating smoothly and in peak condition.

Energy drinks can help in balancing your electrolytes as well as give you an energy boost due to caffeine and other stimulants. But, overuse, depending on the amount of stimulant in the beverage, can result in toxicity.

There is also the possibility of dependence and addiction to the stimulants found in energy drinks.

Using energy drinks occasionally is fine but don’t depend on them. Look for healthy ways to replenish your electrolytes to stay hydrated.

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