Electronic lights or Electrolytes
- Vos Fitness
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
In the last week, I’ve heard them called ‘electronic lights’, ‘electric lights’ and of course, electrolytes. We’re all talking about the same thing, and it’s pretty clear that we have heard the term, we know we need them but what they actually are and why we need them may not be so clear.
The Power Behind Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in water. These include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and a few others. Your body uses these charged particles to:
Regulate fluid balance
Maintain healthy blood pressure
Support nerve function and muscle contractions (don’t forget - your heart is a muscle and we certainly want that to function optimally!)
Balance pH levels
Move nutrients into cells and waste out
Basically, without electrolytes, our bodies couldn’t do most of what keeps us alive and feeling well.
Electrolytes Work Together
Each electrolyte plays its own unique role, but it’s the interaction between them that matters most.
Sodium + Chloride: (aka salt) These two work together to control fluid outside your cells. Think of them as the front line in keeping your hydration status in check.
Potassium: Helps balance sodium’s effects and supports fluid inside your cells. It also keeps your heartbeat regular and supports muscle function.
Magnesium: Essential for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function. It also supports energy production and helps balance calcium and potassium levels. You know how much I love magnesium - from helping you get a better night sleep, fending off muscle cramps and fatigue to keeping your regular it’s a powerhouse!! Yes, I have a favorite brand - yes, you can ask me when you see me! Because no supplement is one-size-fits-all.
Calcium: Known for bone health, but it’s also crucial for muscle contractions (including your heart), nerve signaling, and even blood clotting.
If one of these minerals is low or out of balance, the whole system can be thrown off—leading to dehydration, cramping, fatigue, dizziness, or worse. Without proper electrolyte balance your muscles can’t contract OR relax properly … hello middle of the night leg cramp!
Oooh and -you know those people who are salty-sweaters (maybe you?) those who can taste the salt as the sweat drips into their eyes or actually even see the salt when the workout shirt dries?
If you're a salty sweater—it likely means you're losing a higher amount of sodium through your sweat than average. This can be totally normal for some people, but it does have implications for your electrolyte balance.
So, Wait—Salt Isn’t the Enemy?
Let’s clear up a big myth: salt (sodium chloride) is not inherently bad for you.
Yes, excess sodium from heavily processed foods can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues. But sodium itself is a vital electrolyte that your body needs to retain water, maintain nerve function, and help muscles contract properly.
The key? Balance. Sodium works with other electrolytes—especially potassium—to maintain fluid equilibrium. When sodium levels rise, potassium helps calm the storm. That’s why a diet rich in both is important—especially if you're sweating a lot, working out, or spending time in the heat. So that feeling of being swollen after a super-salty meal or those hot days when your ankles look a little puffy - it’s usually an imbalance of the salt vs potassium ratio in your system.
Electrolytes ≠ Sugar
Now we know that adding electrolytes into your water, especially during hot days, after exercise, or when you’re under stress, can help replenish your body and keep everything running smoothly. The problem is that we've been conditioned (marketing is good!) to reach for sports drinks, which are typically filled with sugar.
With a quick search, you can find electrolyte powders and mineral drops with low or no sugar content and zero food dyes even a pinch of sea salt with a squeeze of citrus in your water can do the trick. Be wary of anything with excess sugar … your gut will be so unhappy about that in the long run - but that’s for another blog.
Here's a challenge for you: try having a bottle of water with electrolytes before your morning coffee. You may feel more energized than you expect!
Electrolytes aren’t just for athletes or post-party recovery—they’re for everyone, every day. And definitely have some extra on those post-party days! They help your body stay energized, alert, and hydrated at the cellular level. So the next time you fill up your water bottle, consider how you're fueling—not just hydrating—your body.
We're not going to leave you hanging, here are some of our favorites:
Cure Hydration - we love every flavor we've tried and keep the Lemon at home at all times, if you're looking for a zingy addition to your water try the Turmeric Ginger! it's SO good.
LMNT - it's good, just way too salty for some of us - especially those of us who aren't salty sweaters!
Make your own with a Dash of Lemon Juice and a Pinch of Salt
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