Magnesium is an alkalizing mineral and one of the most important electrolytes in our body. In comparison to any other mineral, magnesium is involved in more than 300 processes and circulates in all body fluids and tissues.

Its role as an electrolyte is to direct nerve impulses, activating muscle activity, so simply put, magnesium makes our muscles work. It is very important that the electrolytes in the muscle cells are in the right ratio with each other so that they provide efficient and effective absorption of fluids and nutrients so that the body can be hydrated.

However, frequent sweating and dehydration during the summer leads to sodium (salt) retention and loss of other electrolyte minerals such as magnesium and potassium, which disrupts the electrolyte balance in our body. Another reason to lose magnesium in the summer is just standing in the sun. The relationship between magnesium and vitamin D, which we absorb through our skin when we are in the sun, is well known. The more we take vitamin D in the sun, the greater the loss of magnesium. This makes magnesium one of the most important ingredients for summer.

The best source of magnesium is of course food, which is not difficult at all. Magnesium is found in many foods, but it is important to eat them whole and raw. Magnesium, like many other minerals, is lost during heat treatment. The richest sources of magnesium are cereals (millet, buckwheat, rice, einkorn, oats), nuts and seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin seeds) and leafy greens such as spinach, kale and others. A great source of magnesium from the superfoods family are raw cocoa beans, which can be easily found in most stores for organic and healthy products. However, magnesium is not found in animal products, so during summer it is good to focus mainly on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.

The combination of dates and bananas can be one of the best in our summer diet. Dates are one of the best sources of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, sulfur and even phosphorus (which is not common in plant foods), and bananas are the best source of potassium, which is the other extremely important electrolyte, highly associated with magnesium levels in the body. The morning smoothie of bananas, dates and spinach, supplemented by an active lifestyle and good hydration (at least two liters of water a day), will provide us with a great electrolyte balance and alkaline body.

In case of magnesium deficiency due to health problems or increased physical activity, we can take magnesium as a dietary supplement and magnesium oil. Magnesium oil can also be taken externally to apply to the skin for swelling, sports cramps and in case of physical exhaustion.