Sodium
Benefits of Sodium
- Fluid balance
- Form: Citrate.
- Food source: Table salt, and foods such as bread, cheese, cured meats, stock cubes and soy sauce.
What is Sodium?
Sodium is one of the body's main electrolytes and is involved in keeping fluid balance in the body. We lose sodium in sweat, which is why it matters most after heat and exercise.
As the main mineral found outside our cells, sodium plays a central role in how the body holds onto water. It is involved in regulating the balance of fluids in the bloodstream and tissues.
How does Sodium work in the body?
Sodium works closely with hormones such as aldosterone and ADH (antidiuretic hormone) to manage extracellular fluid volume: the fluid outside our cells that supports circulation and organ function.
In the kidneys, sodium helps drive the reabsorption of water through specialised channels, helping the body recover lost fluid. This process matters most after heavy sweating or intense exercise.
In short: sodium is central to how the body manages its water.