What are electrolytes, anyway?

If you’ve ever played a sport, you’ve probably chugged an electrolyte-replenishing (and likely sugar-laden) sports drink at some point. Every athlete knows that electrolytes are important, but few know the specifics of their function.

The American Chemical Society and PBS explained the importance of electrolytes and their function, and gave their take on whether that post-game chug is as replenishing as it feels.

Electrolytes are actually salts, including table salt, that conduct electricity in water by separating into positive and negative charges, the video explains with the help of some handy animations. Cell membranes control the flow of positive and negative charges, and water follows the electrolytes. There has to be a balance between electrolytes and water for cells to function properly. Without that balance, cells could either shrivel up and die or become too full and burst.