Hydration Beyond Water: Understanding the Importance of Electrolytes for the Body’s Balance

Hydration is often associated only with water consumption. However, in scenarios of high fluid loss—such as intense physical activity, prolonged heat exposure, or clinical conditions like diarrhea and vomiting—replacing fluids with water alone may be insufficient and, in some cases, even harmful. This is because the body does not lose only water, but also electrolytes: minerals that are essential for vital functions such as osmotic balance, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction. 

The main electrolytes include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. A lack or imbalance of these elements can impair physical performance, cause cramps, dizziness, mental confusion, and even more severe conditions such as hyponatremia, in which sodium concentration in the blood drops to dangerously low levels. 

“During exercise, especially in hot environments, the body loses significant amounts of electrolytes through sweat. If replenishment is done only with water, without considering these minerals, there is a real risk of imbalance, which affects performance and can even cause dangerous symptoms,” explains Gerson Leite, sports physiologist and Plant Power partner. The importance of complete hydration also applies to other daily situations. 

“People exposed to extreme heat, the elderly with reduced perception of thirst, or patients with clinical conditions such as diarrhea, for example, also benefit from electrolyte replacement. In many of these cases, dehydration is not only due to water loss but also to the loss of essential minerals needed for cellular functions,” he adds. 

Smart Replacement Electrolytes can be replenished through food, by consuming fruits, vegetables, and coconut water, but in situations of higher demand, these sources are not always enough. For this reason, the supplement market has invested in formulas that make proper replenishment easier and more effective. 

This need is met by Jungle Electrolytes from Plant Power, a supplement that combines essential electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium with vitamin C. It is naturally sweetened with stevia and contains no added sugar, preservatives, artificial colors, or synthetic additives. Each serving can be diluted in 300 milliliters of water, creating a functional and refreshing drink suitable for consumption before, during, or after training, as well as throughout the day for hydration.