Electrolytes are essential minerals—like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—that play critical roles in keeping your body functioning smoothly.
While you can certainly get electrolytes from food, there are times when an electrolyte supplement might be a game-changer for staying balanced. Let’s dive into where to find electrolytes in food, what each type does for your body, and why a supplement like SALTT could be your best bet to avoid any gaps.
1. Sodium
Common Sources: Table salt, pickles, cheese, processed meats, canned soups, and bread.
Why It Matters: Sodium helps maintain fluid balance, supports nerve function, and so much more!
Can You Get Enough from Food? It’s easy to get sodium from a standard diet, but keep in mind that sweating (especially from exercise or hot weather) can quickly deplete your levels, leading to dizziness or muscle cramps.
2. Potassium
Common Sources: Bananas, oranges, spinach, avocado, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.
Why It Matters: Potassium keeps your heart and muscles working smoothly and counterbalances sodium to help maintain healthy blood pressure. Read more about it here.
Can You Get Enough from Food? Many fresh fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, but if your diet lacks enough fresh produce, or if you lose potassium through exercise or diuretics, you might need extra support.
3. Magnesium
Common Sources: Leafy greens, beans, peas, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and whole grains.
Why It Matters: Magnesium is vital for energy production, muscle relaxation, and nerve health. It’s also a key player in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, making it crucial for your overall well-being.
Can You Get Enough from Food? Magnesium is in many foods, but it tends to be in lower levels, and owing to certain compounds in grains and beans that interfere with magnesium absorption, our bodies don’t always absorb it efficiently.
So, If You Can Get Electrolytes from Food, Why Supplement?
Theoretically, you could get all your electrolytes from food—but modern lifestyles, diet choices, and physical activities can make that tricky. Here’s why an electrolyte supplement like SALTT might still be worth it:
- Busy Lifestyle: Getting the ideal balance of electrolytes requires consistency, and that can be hard to maintain with a busy schedule. We’ve done the work for you so you don’t have to calculate how much more magnesium you need every day…
- Higher Electrolyte Needs from Exercise: When you’re physically active, your body loses electrolytes faster. If you’re not replenishing them adequately, you might feel fatigued, cramped, or dehydrated.
- Dietary Restrictions: Not everyone eats a diet that’s naturally rich in these minerals. It can be challenging (and straight up inconvenient) to calculate and reach the optimal intake for calcium and other electrolytes.
- Digestive Health: Some people have conditions that make absorbing electrolytes from food more difficult. Supplements can offer a more easily absorbable form, especially for key electrolytes like magnesium.