Electrolytes vs Water for Workouts

Water is essential for survival and makes up 60% of the human body. It is also important to consume when exercising and undergoing physical exertion. There are also other fuel sources in the form of liquids that can be consumed during a workout that can be more effective and increase physical performance. These include sports drinks, pre-workout mixes, and electrolyte-rich beverages. Electrolytes are minerals; potassium and sodium, which is what makes a person sweat. When undergoing physical activity, sodium and potassium are leaving the body (sweat) and can be replaced with an electrolyte-rich beverage. This is replacing fluid the body is losing and can avoid the heavy stomach sensation that overconsumption of water can cause. When it comes to exercising and looking at fluid loss (sweat) and energy being burned (sugar), water may NOT be the best fluid to consume. An electrolyte also provides your body with an electric charge (energy). So, you’re sweating electrolytes that charge your body.

Water is great to stay hydrated when training and essential as well, but there is such a thing as overhydration, and that can happen during daily activities and working out. Overhydrating is when your body can’t expel as much fluid as it’s consuming and builds up the excess liquid in your stomach, creating that heavy stomach feeling, which can be uncomfortable and lead to a decrease in physical performance. This can happen because the stomach has an excess amount of fluid in it. Water does not provide energy like an electrolyte. An electrolyte gives the body a charge and replaces the fluid lost by the body.

Sports drinks also have sugar in their ingredients. Sugar is what the body burns for energy, so consuming a sports drink can provide an individual with an electrolyte to charge the body and replace fluid loss, but also sugar as well.

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This means that the body will have constant energy (sugar = fuel for the body) throughout your workout and protect the protein in your muscles from being burned and used instead. There is no discredit to water as it is the most vital component for survival, but when it comes to exercising and avoiding a heavy sensation in the stomach, electrolytes, pre-workouts, and sports drinks are great alternatives.

Key Tip: Sports drinks, pre-workouts, and electrolyte-rich beverages come in powder form and are less expensive than the physical beverage. This is beneficial for the price and storage of the product.