{"id":20106,"date":"2024-02-27T08:31:50","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T13:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/blog\/?p=20106"},"modified":"2024-02-27T08:34:50","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T13:34:50","slug":"staying-well-hydrated-outdoors-with-electrolytes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/blog\/staying-well-hydrated-outdoors-with-electrolytes\/","title":{"rendered":"Staying Well Hydrated Outdoors with Electrolytes"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":20113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,66,164,166,172,179,176],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outdoor-activities","category-hiking","category-running","category-kayaking","category-paddleboarding","category-cross-country-skiing","category-snowshoeing"],"acf":{"post_flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":false,"anchor_link_text":"","text_content":"If you're into hiking<\/a>, trail running<\/a>, or winter sports<\/a>, chances are you have heard of \"electrolytes.\" However, you may not know exactly what their name refers to, or more importantly, what they are used for. In a nutshell, electrolytes are minerals that help you stay well hydrated, especially during your most intense activities. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you need electrolytes to support your movement and keep you going. Bianca Petri, founder of Peak Secourisme, shares everything there is to know about electrolytes. What is their role? Where can you find them? Why are they so important for active people? Let\u2019s find out together!<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThis article was written in collaboration with Peak Secourisme<\/a><\/strong><\/i>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_anchors_list","anchors_section_title":"In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about electrolytes:"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":false,"anchor_link_text":"","text_content":"

[stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/outdoor-gear\/running\/hydration-energy\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Hydration and energy[\/stag_button] [stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/camping\/hydration\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Bottles and hydration[\/stag_button]<\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"What Are Electrolytes?","text_content":"

What Are Electrolytes?<\/h2>\r\nBy definition, electrolytes are macro-minerals that play a vital role in the body's proper functioning. Simply put, they help transmit electrical impulses throughout the body (heartbeat, muscle contractions, etc.), which is why we need a large amount of them. They also control acid levels in the body, as well as nerve and muscle functions.\r\n\r\nElectrolytes (or \"lytes\" for short) ensure you maintain optimal hydration<\/a>. We typically lose about two litres of water every day, even without exercising. Hydration charged with these minerals helps our body restore its balance. So, if athletes consume a lot of drinks and other products with electrolytes, it's not exactly for their taste!\r\n\r\nWhether you're a hiking<\/a>, trail running<\/a> or cross-country<\/a> skiing enthusiast, think of using electrolytes for your most intense outings. They may not be necessary for a leisurely excursion, but during longer or more demanding sessions, you will need to replenish the minerals lost through sweating (among other factors). Physical activity leads to sweating, resulting in the loss of electrolytes. This imbalance can quickly translate into a lack of energy, cramps, or shortness of breath - exactly the kind of thing you want to avoid!\r\n\r\nTo maintain a good electrolyte ratio, remember to pack something to \"recharge\" your body with sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium\u2026 \u201cLytes,\" basically!"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"What Are the Benefits of Electrolytes?","text_content":"

What Are the Benefits of Electrolytes?<\/h2>\r\n\"What\r\n\r\nElectrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium, etc.) work as a team. Together, they ensure the proper functioning of the muscles, the brain and, more broadly, the whole body. Calcium and magnesium, for example, play a major role in muscle contraction. They are one of the reasons you're able to hike trails for hours on end!\r\n\r\nAccording to Bianca, it's important to \"recharge\" with electrolytes as soon as you've exerted yourself for more than 45 minutes. This also applies on very hot days, even without physical activity, because they usually cause considerable sweating. The goal is simple: you want to avoid dehydration while maintaining a good balance of minerals.\r\n\r\nAnother point to bear in mind, according to our specialist, is the importance of \"recharging your batteries\" before your electrolyte levels get too low. These levels decrease with prolonged effort, so it's best to take an electrolyte-rich drink well before you start to feel a sudden drop in energy!\r\n\r\nKeep all of this in mind no matter what outdoor activity you prefer. A hike may not be as demanding on your muscles and cardiovascular system as a marathon, but that's no reason to deprive your body of electrolytes. By maintaining stable levels of minerals, you can preserve your energy levels as much as possible.\r\n\r\nAnd what about winter activities<\/a>? Should you carry an electrolyte drink in your backpack? As you may have guessed, yes. Although not as crucial as in the middle of summer under a blazing sun, they are still important to avoid energy drops and other inconveniences caused by a mineral imbalance. The rule remains the same: even in winter, stay hydrated (and don't forget your \"lytes\"!)"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"What Are the Signals to Replenish Electrolytes?","text_content":"

What Are the Signals to Replenish Electrolytes?<\/h2>\r\nAn electrolyte imbalance can lead to symptoms like weakness or fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and confusion.\r\n\r\nDuring physical activity, no matter how intense, your body will send you signals when your electrolyte levels drop too low. Bianca tells us about a few:\r\n