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5 Things to Know About Electrolytes for Young Athletes
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Read Time 5 min
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As the months get warmer a lot of our kids are playing sports outside. It’s more important than ever to keep your children hydrated—and that means more than just water. Here are five quick things to know about hydration for young athletes.
1. Children Are Especially Prone to Dehydration
Kids get dehydrated more easily than adults, both because they’re smaller—they have less total water, so each percentage of water lost has a bigger impact—and because they’re unlikely to realize they’re dehydrated and seek help from an adult. [ * ]
Dehydration happens even faster in young athletes. Children and teenagers who are playing sports need up to a liter of fluid and 50-100 mg of each essential electrolyte—sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium—every hour when they’re active. [ * ]
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2. Even Mild Dehydration Has A Major Impact On Performance
Most parents are worried about the health effects of dehydration, but hydration also matters if you want your child to perform well on the field.
A 2014 study found that mild dehydration causes a 16% decrease in muscle strength . [ * ] They rated their fatigue level as significantly higher and couldn’t produce nearly as much power—but when they rehydrated, their strength returned to normal.
Dehydration affects endurance too. In a 2001 study, young athletes doing endurance training fatigued 17% faster when moderately dehydrated . [ * ]
There’s also a mental component. In a 2010 study, people exhibited greater mental fatigue and lower overall energy when mildly dehydrated. [ * ]
The effects of dehydration can carry over into the classroom too. A 2012 study found that even 2% dehydration produced significant decreases in concentration, memory, and physical coordination . [ * ] Electrolytes are essential for conducting electricity across the brain, which is how your neurons communicate with one another. Low electrolytes make it harder for the brain to send messages, which leads to fogginess and fatigue.
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3. Your Child’s Electrolyte Needs Increase A Lot During Summer
A 2013 study found that dehydration happens 40% faster in summer versus winter. [ * ]
Hydration needs increase with temperature and humidity, and if you live somewhere with hot, humid summers, dehydration can become dangerous surprisingly quickly.
Make sure your kids always have both water and electrolytes when they’re being physically active. They should also continue hydrating for an hour after they stop playing sports, as their body will keep losing electrolytes for a period after they’re at rest.
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4. Plain Water Isn’t Enough
Water is essential for staying hydrated, but it’s not the full picture. You lose a lot of electrolytes in sweat—particularly sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. [*]
A 2021 study found that in hot weather, a mineral-rich solution was 22% better at rehydrating people than plain water, and that those who drank plain water remained functionally dehydrated. [*] The difference was smaller in cold weather, though it was still present. People took longer to become dehydrated and minerals were about 10% more effective than plain water, as participants didn’t lose as many electrolytes through sweat.
A 2019 study found similar results: people who spent over an hour in the heat had significant physical and cognitive impairment when tested. Mineral-enhanced water rapidly rehydrated them and restored their muscle and cognitive deficits almost twice as fast as plain water did. [*]
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5. Ionic Minerals Are The Best Way to Rehydrate
Electrolytes are important during summer, especially for young athletes—but you should know that most electrolyte supplements use mineral salts, which are hard to absorb. Your body only uses about 10% of the mineral salts you drink, [ * ] and most sports drinks and tablets don’t have enough electrolytes to make a difference anyway. You need a wide range of high-quality minerals for proper rehydration.
I was unhappy with the mineral supplements out there, which is why I created BEAM Minerals.
We offer concentrated, all-in-one mineral supplements that replenish your mineral stores in minutes. Our minerals come in a high-absorption liquid form with close to 100% bioavailability, and they’re potent enough that you’ll feel their effects within minutes. You get everything you need, all in a single supplement.
If you want to help your kids hydrate better when they’re on the field, try our Advanced Electrolyte and Micronutrient Formula . Just mix a capful with a bottle of water to create a fast-absorbing, rehydrating mineral solution. It’s perfect for adults and children alike.
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FAQs
Can I take BEAM Minerals with my other supplements?
Yes, in fact, BEAM Minerals will enhance the bioavailability of all your other supplements.
What is the difference between Micro-BOOST™ and Electrolyze™?
Electrolyze™ is primarily composed of Fulvic Mineral Complexes . Fulvic complexes are small molecules that provide inter-cellular transport for nutritional elements into the cells and carry bio-waste out of the cells. Fulvic complexes are flavonoids , which provide many benefits in the body.
Micro-BOOST™ is primarily composed of the Humic Mineral Complexes . Humic complexes are large molecules that are extra-cellular, meaning they do not enter the cells but stay outside the cells. They are highly-charged molecules that attract, through their electrical charge, bio-waste, free radicals and heavy metals. They ultimately carry bio-waste out of the body. Thus, we call them “Nature’s Janitor”.
How many milligrams (mg) of an electrolyte (Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, etc.) is there in BEAM Minerals?
The quantities of each element in BEAM Minerals products are measured in “parts per million” (ppm), rather than the “milligrams” (mg). Here is the information which usually helps to understand the difference:
Milligrams (mg) vs parts per million (ppm)
In comparing our products to other supplements, people want to know how much of an electrolyte is in our products (like potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium). Usually they are looking for an amount in milligrams (mg).
We have a hard time answering that question, because the electrolytes (and other elements) in BEAM Minerals products are measured in parts per million (ppm). So how can consumers compare?
The answer is a little complex, but here’s the high points.
The electrolytes in BEAM Minerals products are provided in “trace” amounts that are completely dissolved and thus 100% bio-available, immediately introduced into your circulation when you consumed them and will produce and active effect.
When you take a 320mg pill of magnesium, your body is only able utilize about 12-20% of it as it takes some time because your body has to digest it first. Whatever is not dissolved gets processed out of your body.
When you take a capful of liquid Electrolyze™ and/or Micro-BOOST™, you receive approximately 5.22 ppm of magnesium in which 100% of the magnesium is immediately available to your body. In addition, an important to know is that the magnesium in BEAM Minerals products stay in your system much longer building up healthy levels as you continue to take it daily.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This content should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition or health issue. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
