Foods Enriched With Electrolytes

You might have electrolytes level checked by blood test, but you don’t know what they are? Then you are at right place because here you will come to know about electrolytes, foods containing them and role they play in our body.

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are the essential nutrients that are important for body in maintaining pH and body hydration. The common electrolytes present in our body are potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and chloride. Any imbalance in electrolytes can disrupt body signalling that may cause fatigue, muscle cramps, numbness and irregular heart beat. To get an ample amount of electrolytes in body, foods should be taken because nature has supplied them with proper nutrition.

Foods having electrolytes

Fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy products provides us required mineral and nutrient that are required for body. there are many foods that have essential electrolytes but we will discuss few of them:

• Bananas

Bananas are everyone favourite fruit and contain many vitamins, nutrients and electrolytes. Bananas are excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, fibre, vitamin B6, vitamin A and iron etc. It is considered as best food because it can be used as healthy snack.

• Yogurt

In dairy products yogurt is the healthiest source of protein and aids in digestion because of good bacteria’s. yogurt is an excellent source of calcium while other electrolytes present are magnesium, potassium and vitamin D. Greek yogurt is good during diet as well.

• Brown rice

Rice is staple food of people of many areas, but brown or unpolished rice are best. They are low in calories but also contains phosphorus, copper, selenium and magnesium etc. They also contain high fibre along with oils which helps in lowering cholesterol levels.

• Eggs

Eggs contain phosphorus, vitamin B12, riboflavin, choline and protein. Traces of iodine and selenium are also present. Eggs are easiest source of protein and can be cooked in few minutes. It can be added to soups, rice, salads and many dishes. Eggs will remain your friend even you are going through weight loss journey.

• Spinach

Spinach is full of fibers, iron and folate that makes it perfect for digestion and anaemic people. The electrolytes present in spinach are magnesium, calcium and potassium other than folate and iron.

• Peanuts

Peanuts are quick and nutritious nutty snack which provide us with biotin, manganese, phosphorus and copper. Other minerals and electrolytes are present in trace amount. Peanuts are enriched in antioxidants as well which prevents from many diseases. The monosaturated fatty acids in peanuts are good for heart health and brain activity.

• Salmon

Salmon is best sea food and packed with lot of nutrients and electrolytes. Phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium are present in abundant amount while iron, and zinc are present in trace amounts. It is usually recommended by nutritionist to eat fish or sea food twice a week to get a balanced nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids are also present which provides good cholesterol to body and prevents from heart diseases, diabetes and hypertension etc. It also contain vitamin D, so vitamin D deficient people should take more fish (salmon).

• Raisins

Raisins are great and contains magnesium, potassium and calcium along with zinc, iron, manganese, and fluoride. They are perfect grab and go snack which provide many health benefits along with electrolytes.

Health benefits of electrolytes

Health benefits of these electrolytes are:

• Potassium regulates water balance and improves nervous coordination which is a balance between sodium and potassium ion. It also helps in muscle contraction and prevent heart diseases,
• Sodium control blood pressure and maintain fluids balance in the body. Sodium is important for brain activity as well because low sodium levels can cause seizures and coma.
• Calcium is good for bones, teeth and skeleton. It regulates cell function, heart beat and blood clotting.
• Magnesium is important cofactor in enzymes and regulate many body processes. Its deficiency can be fatal.
• Iron is important for blood formation as it is present in haemoglobin. It is important in blood formation.

All nature gifted fruits, vegetables and nuts are good for health and provide us enough nutrition which no supplement can provide without side effects. So try to eat healthy and balanced diet to avoid any deficiency or disease. Good food is good for overall body activity as well as good skin and youthfulness.

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