If you’re a runner, you understand the importance of staying hydrated during your routine runs. Your body needs enough electrolytes to achieve optimum hydration. However, not all runners use sports drinks to replenish their electrolytes. In that case, salt tablets for runners are a better alternative. What are these salt tablets, and how do they benefit runners?
What’s a Salt Tablet?
These are easy-to-swallow tablets with high sodium, an essential electrolyte that supports never functions, muscle contractions, and regulates fluid balance. Salt tablets also contain other crucial electrolytes like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. These electrolytes benefit athletes during endurance activities such as intense workouts and running.
Why are Salt Tablets Good for Runners?
During an endurance activity like running, your body loses a significant amount of sodium and other electrolytes through sweating. Consider incorporating salt tablets into your routine to replenish the electrolytes, prevent muscle cramps, maintain proper hydration, and improve performance.
The rate of electrolyte loss varies from one runner to another. Those who sweat heavily lose about 1600 mg of sodium per 1 liter of sweat. Typical sports drinks for these runners may not offer sufficient sodium to replenish such losses.
Salt tablets are a valuable addition that offers extra sodium alongside the typical sports drinks. Some runners prefer plain water over sports drinks. Note that plain water doesn’t contain sodium and other electrolytes. Such runners must rely on other nutrition products to obtain the necessary electrolytes.
Do Salt Tablets Prevent Muscle Cramps in Runners?
Low sodium levels are one of the factors that contribute to muscle cramping, particularly among runners. However, most runners report that using salt tablets alleviates muscle cramping during ultra-marathons and other endurance events.
When choosing salt tablets and other supplements, paying attention to the benefits and side effects or risks is crucial. Sure, salt tablets prevent or alleviate muscle cramping during endurance events. However, taking more than the recommended dosage could lead to hypernatremia. This happens when you have too much sodium or salt in your body.
How to Use Salt Tablets for Runners
If you intend to use salt tablets, consult an expert to assess your optimum dosage for your needs and total sodium intake. Depending on your routine and health, the professional can determine the appropriate salt tablet dosage and frequency. Consuming excess salt tablets could have side effects or cause health complications.
Salt tablets for runners aren’t the same. Thus, paying attention to the ingredients is crucial to determining the quantity of chloride, sodium, and other electrolytes you’ll be taking. Choose salt tablets that meet the WHO standards. Remember, you’ll need electrolyte supplements only when your body’s sodium levels fall below the 135mmol/L mark.
