Why you need electrolytes when traveling:
When we travel, we are particularly susceptible to dehydration, for a few reasons. First, our routines are broken up, so we may not instinctively drink enough water or consume similar foods that would normally keep us hydrated. Second, humidity levels inside planes are extraordinarily low, which is naturally dehydrating — especially if you also consume alcohol or caffeine. Finally, if your trip includes outdoor activity, such as hiking or water sports, you’ll lose water and electrolytes through sweat.
Five electrolytes in particular play a pivotal role in maintaining normal hydration levels: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. A shortage of any of these electrolytes — most notably sodium — affects hydration levels, resulting in a range of subtle to serious side effects. These include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Decreased urine output
- Dry skin
- Tiredness or sleepiness
- Thirst
Dehydration can be accelerated if you plan to spend your time outdoors, especially if you travel to a hot or humid climate. Sweat has a concentration of about 1000 mg sodium/liter; however, a typical sports drink has 440 mg sodium/liter, which is not enough to account for the full amount of lost electrolytes. Many sports drinks also do not address any form of supplementation of the other key electrolytes, potentially causing yet further issues.
How SaltStick can help you improve your travel experience:
To ensure you are maintaining electrolyte levels during air travel, we suggest consuming about 1 SaltStick Capsule or 4 SaltStick Fastchews for every 16-32 ounces (500-1000 mL) of water.
What other travelers say about SaltStick products:
“I suffered traveler’s ‘fits’ after the first day of the hike. I was nutrient leached! I started taking this cap on the start of the second day and they were a god-send! My cramps disappeared and didn’t suffer altitude sickness after a day of a nearly 10,000 foot climb at a rapid pace! I passed these caps to my traveling companions and they all agreed these helped greatly.” — Amazon Customer.
Learn more about how SaltStick can help you improve your travel experience by reading the following blog posts: