Your body runs on electricity, whether it’s the neurons firing in your brain or the pumping of your heart. Electrolytes are chemicals that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. When they interact with other electrolytes and with cells, they keep the body’s small electric currents flowing. Not only does this help your body’s natural processes run smoothly, but it’s also essential for your survival.
We use one word to describe them, but electrolytes are really a family of chemicals. There are different types, each providing a different charge, either positive or negative, to trigger a reaction in the body. In fact, you probably know a few of the most common ones already by their more familiar names; Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium.