Month: May 2022

You might see electrolytes mentioned on sports drinks or expensive bottled water, but what exactly are they and do you really need them to stay hydrated? Let’s look at some of the facts and theories behind electrolytes and hydration.

What are electrolytes?

An electrolyte is a particle that carries an electric charge and can conduct electricity when combined with water. In this context, we’re talking about essential minerals, such as sodium and potassium, that allow things like our muscle tissues and nerve cells to function properly. They are necessary to allow our muscles to contract and our nerves to send signals.

Important electrolytes include:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Phosphate

How are electrolytes linked with hydration?

Electrolytes also play an important role in hydration. If you don’t drink enough fluids or eat enough food, or if you lose a lot of fluids through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, then you can experience an electrolyte imbalance. Imbalances can cause mild to severe symptoms, from fatigue, weakness, and muscle twitches to confusion, seizures, and an irregular heartbeat.

This is because your body loses both fluids and electrolytes when you sweat or excrete fluid in other ways. So, it’s important to replace those electrolytes just like you replace your fluids to stay hydrated.

How to replace electrolytes

Most of our electrolytes come from the food that we eat. For example, two common electrolytes are sodium and chloride, aka table salt. Of course, salt is one of the substances that we need to consume in moderation for the sake of heart health and other aspects of our health, but it is still necessary to a degree.

Are sports drinks or electrolyte water necessary for staying hydrated and replenishing your electrolytes? For most people, the answer is no. Elite athletes or those who take part in long events such as marathon running can benefit from electrolyte drinks to maintain the balance in their bodies. However, most people will simply be able to restore their electrolytes by eating a healthy snack or meal after their workout.

Also, most water contains trace amounts of electrolytes (except for filtered water), so you’re still topping them up slightly if you drink enough water during your workouts. Even if it’s water straight from the tap!

Mountain Park Spring Water are here to keep you hydrated with our bottled water delivery service and water dispensers and filtration systems. Get in touch to find out more about our services across North Carolina and Virginia.

If you’re buying a new fridge or fridge/freezer, then there are a wide range of choices from basic to luxury. You’ve even got the option of a refrigerator with a water and/or ice dispenser in the door. Is this a convenient way to access fresh, cool water or is it just an over-expensive fad? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you.

The pros of fridge water dispensers

Water and ice dispensers are nice and convenient, meaning you can always fill a fresh glass of water or top up a drink. It’s a great way to encourage yourself or your family to drink water throughout the day, as you may be reminded to fill up your glass whenever you go to get something from the fridge. Ice dispensers are also convenient for when you’re entertaining guests or having a party.

Just like regular water dispensers, the water dispenser in your fridge door delivers fresh, clean-tasting water as it is usually filtered first (although not all of these types of fridges have a filter in their water dispenser). Most people prefer this to tap water, and it saves you from having to buy bottled water. These water dispensers can also be easier for young children to use compared to them having to pour water from a bottle, which could lead to spills.

The cons of fridge water dispensers

There are a few downsides to having a fridge with a water and ice dispenser though, starting with the cost. The initial cost of buying one of these refrigerators can be much more expensive than your standard fridge. You will then need to have the dispenser plumbed in to your water, and there are likely to be slightly higher ongoing operating and maintenance costs.

Having a water and/or ice dispenser in the door of your fridge or freezer will also eat into the space inside the refrigerator. This means you’ll have less space to store food and drink inside, so you need to decide which is more important to you. It could still be worth it if you usually store ice or bottled water in your fridge/freezer, as your new dispenser could get rid of the need for this.

A fridge water dispenser or a regular water dispenser does have its benefits, so decide if one is right for you before your upcoming purchase. And if you’re interested in a water delivery service for your home or office, contact Mountain Park Spring Water to find out more.