HEALTH

Water may not be enough to rehydrate your body in the heat, expert says

Jul 19, 2024, 9:00 PM

A woman stays hydrated by drinking water, electrolytes also help to rehydrate...

You might need electrolytes to help you rehydrate this summer.(Canva)

(Canva)

SALT LAKE CITY — Water may not be enough to rehydrate you during Utah’s heatwave. Experts say we also need plenty of electrolytes.

Electrolytes are minerals that help regulate muscle contractions and help you to rehydrate. Electrolytes include calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium.

“When we are sweating […] those are the main [minerals] that our body is utilizing to cool the body,” said Ashley Hagensick, a sports dietician with Intermountain Health.

Hagensick said that we all need electrolytes. The amount you need depends on how much you’re sweating.

“If you’re sweating you’re losing salt and that’s the main electrolyte. I mean, we also lose a little bit of potassium, a little bit of calcium, a little bit of magnesium, but the number one electrolyte would be sodium,” Hagensick said.

Electrolyte minerals are found in sports drinks, but there is more than one way to get them.

“Doesn’t necessarily have to be a sports drink if you would prefer to have, you know, goldfish or pretzels or crackers… Any processed food is going to have sodium in,” Hagensick said.

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Water may not be enough to rehydrate your body in the heat, expert says