Читать книгу VITAMIN WATER - Drink Yourself Well - Luke Eisenberg - Страница 5

Electrolytes or minerals are not only lost in competitive sports. Also frequent vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive sweating can lead to a deficiency. Since our body is unable to produce calcium, chlorine, potassium, magnesium and sodium on its own, it is dependent on food intake. In principle, our organism can regulate the correct and necessary composition of minerals through hormones, because, for example, if the electrolyte content is too high, then it is also excreted more strongly. Electrolytes can accumulate, especially if kidney function is impaired. They are then no longer sufficiently excreted from our body. Taking medication can also significantly affect the mineral balance and disrupt the electrolyte level. Malnutrition, an increased alcohol consumption, as well as a disturbed function of the endocrine glands also lead to a lack of electrolytes.

An electrolyte fault occurs when the measured value deviates significantly from the standard level of the electrolytes. If this is the case over a longer period of time, it may lead to hyperacidity, an impaired nervous system and in the worst case to death due to the failure of the organs. Severe electrolyte disorders are usually the case with sodium, calcium or potassium and are treated as medical emergencies.

A slight disorder, such as hyperacidity, can usually be easily compensated for by consuming water or vitamin water. If the lack of water or dehydration is already too advanced and can no longer be compensated

by drinking, then an infusion containing electrolytes is indispensable. Even a water shortage of only two percent in our body can cause symptoms such as dry mouth, headaches, little urine, low blood pressure and dizziness. Other symptoms are impaired vision, aggression, mental confusion and fainting. If the lack of water is not remedied, the tongue swells strongly and delirium occurs. However, those who ensure optimal fluid intake throughout the day usually have no problems with this. If you do not necessarily want to drink vitamin water, you should look for vegetables and fruit containing pectin as well as foods rich in dietary fibres. They are able to bind water and then release it slowly through the intestines.

Electrolytes control our water balance in the organism, which is important for the bile, as well as for the stomach and intestinal fluid, the synovial fluid and also for the brain water. They are of great importance for almost all physical processes, as they are located inside and outside the body cells. By the way, our nervous system relies on electrolytes to pass on information and impulses. Through a balanced diet, sufficient minerals can be absorbed. They are found in fresh fruit and vegetables as well as wholemeal products. However, it is essential to prepare them gently, otherwise the valuable ingredients will be lost if vegetables are boiled too long, for example, or washed too long under the tap. By the way, desserts and white flour products contain virtually no minerals, which is why consumption of these foods should be limited. Vitamin water is therefore highly recommended, as it provides our organism with valuable nutrients and can therefore really prevent many diseases.