Electrolyte

Electrically charged minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride) that circulate in every body fluid. They are called this because they carry a small positive or negative charge that lets them conduct electrical current. Every heartbeat, every thought, every muscle contraction depends on their movement across cell membranes. Think of them as the batteries in a remote control: without them, the device will not switch on. When the balance falters, the brain slows down, muscles cramp and fatigue sets in. A warming climate makes this balance more fragile, because sweating means losing water and these minerals at the same time.