What Do Electrolytes Actually Do?

This week Reactions takes a look at the chemistry behind electrolytes and sports drink science. Sports drink commercials love talking about them, but what are electrolytes, why do we need them, and what happens if we don’t have enough? Electrolytes are salts that, once in our bodies, help our cells move water around. They also enable the nerve impulses that keep our hearts beating, our lungs breathing and our brains learning. But we can also lose them — for example, by sweating. Given all the ins and outs of electrolytes, should you reach for that bright orange sports drink after running around the block?

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Nylon Flares by Alex Makinson

Producer:
Elaine Seward

Writer:
Elaine Seward

Executive Producer:
Adam Dylewski

Scientific consultants:
Chris Yarosh, Ph.D.
Eric Sobolewski, Ph.D.
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.
Kyle Nackers

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.

Reactions is produced by the American Chemical Society.

[eldowns]

The way this woman emphasizes syllables is bonkers.

[aLatios]

Thank you for re-educating me on something that I’ve had to learn over 50 times because I keep fucking forgetting it

[Ethiokarate]

I forgot to take Gatorade after a couple of landscaping days and holy crap I thought was dying, had a big cup of milk, salted mango juice later, and finally dinner soon after my soul returned to my body

[alisonrose]

i like how she tells everyone if they can or can't drink Gatorade

[GigTube]

ITS GOT WHAT PLANTS CRAVE!!! IT'S GOT ELECTROLYTES!!!!

[jackriley]

Started a job as a tree trimmer today. I’ve never worked in the heat before. Only drank water today and felt completely drained. I think I needed those electrolytes!

[GigTube]

How can you make a video on electrolytes and not use a clip from IDIOCRACY!?

[justintyme]

I turn my electric lights off at night so I can sleep!

[peteri]

so technically you could replenish some electrolytes by licking your sweat

[kevinlambert]

"Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes."

[nvwest]

I’m from europe and have never even heard of electrolytes. When I did I immediately searched for a good explanation of what they are.

[omnidye]

Couldn't watch this because narrator used the same tonal pattern in every single sentence.

[condogwow]

simmer down now, the info was presented a little too quickly

[kirara]

I had a real nasty headache earlier and drank some Gatorade, It took less than five minutes and the headache was gone.

[Stovetopcookie]

Great video. The first one I came across about the topic that doesn’t require a PhD in biology to understand. Thank you!

[daxellle]

thank you so damn much for making this, my science teacher wanted me to make up my own energy drink and "Determine which electrolytes and ions are necessary for the body and how your product can replenish the lost electrolytes from the body" and then put it in a promotional poster....

[articusramos]

Sums up the entire anatomy class in a few minutes. You want to drink this either during a heavy workout, a hot day or just worked several hours of manual labor. Water just runs through the body and hardly stays. A bottle of any electrolyte filled drinks can be all the difference between. I know so, drank too much water and, boy the bathroom and I became friends that day. Now with gatorade.... let's say i need no break until i got home

[blakeplayz]

I didn't know that I was just reading my SmartWater thing on the side of my bottle and wanted to know what it is. Really satisfying

[sunshine]

Why does drinking electrolytes supposedly help us hydrate but drinking seawater (which has way more electrolytes) causes us to dehydrate?

[everythingvideos]

I like the zero sugar energy drinks like Gatorade Zero, and Powerade Zero.