The human body needs minerals and electrolytes to perform needed duties such as digesting food properly, building energy, brain activity and the overall function of helping your body to work, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports. Movement requires minerals and electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, chloride, iron and selenium to support the transmission of messages from the brain to the nerves and muscles. Electrolytes such as potassium and sodium also help your body's fluids maintain a normal pH which supports respiration, MedlinePlus notes. There are many sources of minerals and electrolytes found in foods.
Dairy Products
You can get calcium in many dairy products such as cheese, milk, sardines, fish, eggs, beans and cereal, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports. You need calcium for the formation of your bones and teeth and for their strength. Bone density depends on the distribution of calcium to increase the internal and external needs of your bones. Without calcium, your bones and teeth would weaken and break easily.
Salty Foods
Foods that contain salt, or sodium chloride, provide essential electrolytes from both sodium and chloride. Chloride is a needed electrolyte of your body and you can get it from salt, canned foods and foods basically high in salt such as pork, potato chips and bread. This electrolyte helps to balance the body's pH, the balance between your metabolism of acid and alkaline levels of fluids within the body, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports. It influences the breathing and respiratory process within the lungs.
Sodium, also an important electrolyte, can be found in salty foods such as pork, beef, green olives, corn, bread, sauerkraut, table salt and potato chips. This electrolyte is responsible for conduction of messages between your nerves and muscles, MedlinePlus reports. It also serves as a helper in the balance of electrolytes in your body.
Bananas and Other Fruits
Potassium naturally occurs in fruits such as oranges, bananas and prunes, as well as in green leafy vegetables, peas and beans. You need it to support muscle and nerve function. It is essential to electrolyte balance in your body.
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