Water and electrolytes are fundamentals for the normal function of the body. The electrolytes are essential for the movement of water in and out of the cells. They also facilitate the transmission of electrical signals within the body. As such, the body maintains a controlled internal body environment by regulating the concentration of the water and the electrolytes. The two main electrolytes are sodium and potassium. The body acquires them from ingesting food and taking drinks (Oh, & Baum, 2019) . Taking beverages that contain electrolytes after losing a lot of body fluid through sweating is fundamental in the effective balance of the water-electrolyte concentration.
Engagement in intense physical activity such as playing double-header during a very hot day accelerates the loss of body fluids through perspiration. Although a large percentage of fluid lost is water, the body also loses electrolytes. They mainly constitute sodium ions and potassium ions. The sodium ions are in a high concentration outside the body cell in the intercellular space. The potassium ions, on the other hand, are in a high concentration inside the cells. Therefore, during replenishment of the lost fluids is prudent to drink beverages that contain electrolytes (Oh, & Baum, 2019) .
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The presence of the electrolytes in beverages facilitates the replenishment of the electrolytes lost by the body during perspiration. It prevents the players from suffering from hypokalemia and hyponatremia. Hypokalemia occurs when an individual loses too much potassium ions. It causes malfunction of the muscle, heart palpitation, and breathing problems. Hyponatremia, on the other hand, occurs from high water intake that dilutes the concentration of sodium beyond the kidneys' compensatory mechanism. It causes reduced mental activity, nausea, headache, coma, and seizures (Oh, & Baum, 2019) .
In conclusion, the intake of beverages such as Gatorade that contains electrolytes for people indulging in activities that make the body lose a lot of body fluids is crucial. It enhances the body’s ability to maintain the body fluid concentration by not only compensating for the lost water but also the excreted electrolytes. The individuals, therefore, avoid becoming either hypokalemia or hyponatremia. Both conditions are typical, with replenishing lost body fluids with water-rich beverages that cause a low concretion of electrolytes in the body.
Reference
Oh, W., & Baum, M. (2019). Nephrology and fluid/electrolyte physiology . Philadelphia: Elsevier.
