Category: Body chemistry

As the most abundant negatively charged electrolyte in the fluid surrounding your cells, chloride is far more than just half of table salt. For those wondering, "what is chloride good for?" the answer involves a wide range of critical bodily functions essential for health and survival.

Blood is naturally slightly alkaline, with a tightly regulated pH range of 7.35 to 7.45, proving that maintaining an acid-alkaline balance is fundamental for survival. This delicate equilibrium is critical for a host of physiological processes, from cellular function to enzyme activity.

According to the World Health Organization, consuming the recommended amount of salt can prevent 2.5 million deaths annually, highlighting the critical, yet delicate, balance of sodium in our diet. When you drink a mixture of salt and water, its effects on your body depend entirely on the concentration of salt in that mixture.

According to Polish researchers, chronic alcohol consumption significantly affects electrolyte levels, with low sodium (hyponatremia) being the most common disturbance, followed by low potassium (hypokalemia). So, does alcohol deplete sodium or potassium? The answer is that heavy, chronic alcohol intake can disturb the balance of both, along with other essential minerals.