Oftentimes, especially if your goal is to build muscle or is focused on training performance, you will see that I recommend salt intake pre or during workouts or both.
Whis is this?
- Maintain Electrolyte Balance – Sodium is the main electrolyte lost in sweat. If you do not replace it, your body can struggle to maintain optimal muscle contractions and nerve signaling thus increasing fatigue and decreasing performance.
- Supports Nerve-Muscle Communication – Sodium is key to action potentials which is simply what signals your muscles to contract. When sodium levels decline, this can make your muscles feel weaker and less responsive.
- Helps Retain Fluids – Sodium helps your body maintain water levels (hydration). If hydration levels decline during exercise or performance, positive Hydrogen ions build up in the muscle causing fatigue.
- Stabilizes Blood Volume and Pressure – Salt intake helps maintain circulating blood volume which key for oxygen delivery during exercise. A decline in sodium reduces blood volume which signals fatigue.
I recommend using about ¼ teaspoon with the meal pre workout and often times add another ¼ teaspoon of salt during a workout.
