04-22-2022, 11:26 AM
Diana wrote:
As stated above, too much water without added electrolytes cause problems beyond the need to pee. Too pure water and you will have it rushing into the cells by osmosis, causing swelling and the other noted symptoms. Too much electrolyte will cause water loss (again osmosis) from the cells. Think of it as the water will go from an area of high concentration (of water) to an area of low.
Hyper- is high, and hypo- is low. The thing about salt (sodium chloride,* amongst others) is that it is quite water soluble, and will be carried along by the water. Too much water will dilute it, not enough water leads to higher levels in the body. Sodium ion is needed for muscle and nerve transmission (along with potassium, calcium, and others). Too much water disrupts the balance of these electrolytes. Too little also disrupts.
Gatorade is fine, as long as you recognize that it’s higher in sugar than most realize, and the balance of electrolytes (as Racer X stated above) are off. Most wouldn’t drink it if it was closer to what is needed, as the taste gets worse as you dilute it.
*Sodium chloride is one of a myriads of salts. Table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). Potassium chloride is also a salt, as is any ionic compound composed of a metal and a nonmetal. I’m referring to the chemical sense of a metal, from the periodic table, and not necessarily iron, copper, etc that most might associate. Yeah, I’m that way. A chemist.ecret:
I do some chemistry in my job, and I just love it anyway. But I’m on a high salt diet and so I drink a homemade electrolyte solution, totaling 4 liters of water a day. There is added sodium, potassium, and magnesium, but no sugar. I crave salt, so it tastes fine to me. It amazes people that some people actually need extra salt. Yes, my BP is low.