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An electrolyte is a compound which forms ions when dissolved in an aqueous solution. This includes most soluble salts, acids, and bases. Electrolyte solutions conduct electric current as the result of the dissociation into positively and negatively ions, which migrate toward the negative and positive terminals (cathode and anode) of an electric circuit, respectively. The most typical electrolyte is an ionic solution, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible.
Electrolytes can be acids, bases, and salts. The most common electrolytes include: Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, and Sodium. All higher forms of life cannot exist without electrolytes, and that includes humans. They affect the amount of water in our body, the pH of our blood, our muscle function, etc. When we sweat, we lose electrolytes and we must replace them by drinking fluids.
