Electrolytes are minerals - mainly sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride - that carry an electric charge in water and help your body manage fluid balance and normal muscle and nerve function. You lose them through sweat and use them constantly. Here's what each of the main electrolytes does, in plain terms.
What makes a mineral an "electrolyte"?
When certain minerals dissolve in water, they split into charged particles called ions. That charge is what lets them do their job in the body's fluids. "Electrolyte" is just the name for minerals that behave this way - sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and a few others.
What does sodium do?
Sodium is the main electrolyte your body loses in sweat. It's central to fluid balance - how much water your body holds and where. Because you lose it when you sweat, it's the mineral hydration products focus on most. The catch is amount: you need enough to replace what you lose, not a race-day dose every day.
What does potassium do?
Potassium works alongside sodium in fluid balance and normal muscle function. The two are often talked about as a pair, and the balance between them matters. Base 250 matches its sodium with an equal 250mg of potassium for that reason.
What does magnesium do?
Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and energy metabolism - the quiet background systems your body runs on daily. It's a common addition to electrolyte mixes for that everyday role.
What about chloride and the others?
Chloride usually comes along with sodium (as in common salt) and helps with fluid balance too. You'll sometimes see calcium and others listed. The big four in most hydration products are sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride.
How do you lose electrolytes?
Mainly through sweat - which is why heat and exercise increase the need. You also use them constantly in normal body function. Most days, food and water replace what you use; around heavy sweating or long hot days, a drink mix can help top them up. Electrolytes vs water: when plain water isn't enough.
How many electrolytes do you actually need?
This is the part the market gets wrong. Some mixes are built around very high sodium (around 1,000mg), which suits prolonged endurance sweating but is more than an ordinary day calls for. Base 250 uses a moderate 250mg, designed for everyday use. Why we chose 250mg.
Where Fluence fits
Base 250 delivers 250mg sodium, 250mg potassium, 60mg magnesium and vitamin C per 6g serve, with zero sugar - a balanced everyday electrolyte mix that also releases molecular hydrogen as it dissolves. Explore Base 250.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four main electrolytes?
Sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride.
Which electrolyte do you lose most in sweat?
Sodium.
Why pair sodium with potassium?
They work together in fluid balance; Base 250 matches 250mg of each.
Do you need electrolytes if you're not exercising?
Usually plain water is enough; they help most around heat, exercise and heavy fluid loss.
Does Base 250 have sugar?
No - zero sugar.
