How electrolytes equal better skin, energy and poop

Women often tell us that they drink tons of water but always feel thirsty. There’s a great explanation for this—water without enough electrolytes increases urination and actually draws electrolytes out leading to dehydration. The fact is, we need water AND the right balance of electrolytes in our body to hydrate our cells and keep hydration balanced. This is how electrolytes lead to better skin, energy and poop!

Skin

Hydration is essential for the health of our skin and while that seems logical, it wasn’t until 2015 that a study actually concluded that higher water intake was associated with better skin physiology. And it’s not just skin that benefits. Electrolytes literally provide an electrical charge to water which moves it into and out of cells. This positively impacts the hydration within the cell leading to glowy healthier skin.

Energy

Energy is made when the food we eat (fat and carbs, primarily) is broken down and metabolized within our cells. This process converts food into energy. While electrolytes can’t be broken down and converted into energy, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium are all essential micronutrients in the process of converting food into energy. When electrolytes are low, energy production suffers. Especially when working out and aiming to build muscle, electrolytes are essential for that process to be efficient.

Poop

Electrolyte balance within your body is largely controlled with the kidneys and the colon, but electrolytes are important in all aspects of digestion. The lining of the colon is filled with special cells that secrete and reabsorb electrolytes. This changes the amount of water in the bowels. Too much water can mean diarrhea and too little water leads to constipation. One of the electrolytes most associated with water balance in the colon is magnesium. Research has also shown that low magnesium levels can lead to constipation and taking magnesium leads to a better fluid balance in the colon, often resolving constipation.

However, magnesium is not the only electrolyte to watch. Each electrolyte must stay in balance to have good gut health and potassium is no exception. Potassium is one of the most important micronutrients for smooth muscle contraction, affecting the movement or peristalsis of your intestines. This wave-like contraction is what moves food through the digestive tract. When peristalsis slows down, digestion and poop do too.

Eat more electrolytes

• Vegetables and fruits are steeped in electrolytes so eat plants!
• For more potassium, eat bananas, oranges, avocados, leafy greens, and root veggies.
• For more magnesium, eat nuts, seeds, beans, avocado, and dark chocolate.
• For more calcium, eat almonds products, fortified plant milks, broccoli, dark leafy greens, and tofu.

Water + electrolytes = healthy happy skin, energy and poop

Remember, water is the foundation of good hydration, but if you find yourself running to the bathroom to pee all day or night, this is a sign that your water is not working for you. Make sure to consume plenty of electrolytes in food and add extra with a supplement to ensure your water is staying where it needs to.

Electrolytes are so essential to overall health and proper hydration, that we think that a clean electrolyte is the perfect partner for Florasophy! Together, they hold water where it belongs! And now, you can have both in one place. Check out our hydration add-on pack!

About Megan Barnett, MS, CNS

Megan Barnett, MS, CNS is a clinical nutritionist, research writer, public speaker and educator with over ten years in the field of nutrition science and functional medicine. She co-owns BioLounge, a functional medicine clinic in Portland, Oregon, and she is the co-founder and product developer of Florasophy organic soluble fiber blends. She sits on the board of directors for the American Nutrition Association where she supports the credentialing and professional development of her colleagues while providing leadership in the treatment and prevention of disease using evidence-based nutrition science.