HWN Suggests

What is chloride?

Chloride is the ion name for chlorine. Chlorine is an atom that is most comfortable when it removes an electron from another atom and as a result takes on a negative charge (Cl–). Sodium and potassium as electrolytes often overshadow chloride, but chloride should not be underestimated in importance. Furthermore, chloride is involved in some interesting aspects of protein digestion as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination from the body.

Although some fruits and vegetables contain respectable amounts of chloride, the natural content of this mineral in most foods is naturally low. Chloride, as part of sodium chloride (table salt) added to foods, is the major contributor of chloride in…

read full article

Featured

 Are Electrolyte Packets Really Worth the Hype?

They promise a ton of workout benefits. But do they deliver?

Articles of Interest

Chloride in Heart Failure Syndrome: Its Pathophysiologic Role and Therapeutic Implication

Until recently, most studies of heart failure (HF) focused on body fluid dynamics through control of the sodium and water balance in the body. Chloride has remained largely ignored in the medical literature, and in clinical practice, chloride is generally considered as an afterthought to the better-known electrolytes of sodium and potassium. In recent years, however, the important role of chloride in the distribution of body fluid has emerged in the field of HF pathophysiology.

Chloride Ion Is Not the Enemy

. Over time, we have seen Cl– as a “villain,” but today, we know that patients with hypochloremia (< 96 mEq/L) have a higher risk of AKI than patients with hyperchloremia...

Chloride: foods, functions, how much do you need & more

Chloride is involved in many of our bodily functions. Similar to sodium and potassium, chloride creates specific channels in the membranes of our cells which help to carry different vital tasks. For example, chloride channels are key in controlling the amount of water and the type of compounds and nutrients that go in and out of cells. Overall, they play an important role in keeping the balance of our bodies’ fluids (thus, helping to regulate our blood pressure) as well as the pH.

Everything You Need to Know About Electrolytes — Including the Best Electrolyte Sources

You've probably heard you need to refuel with electrolytes post-workout — but why? Here, learn more about the benefits of electrolyte.

Molecular Movie Reveals How To Get Chloride Ions Into the Cell

For the first time, a molecular movie has captured in detail the process of an anion transported across the cell membrane by a light-fuelled protein pump. Publishing in Science, the researchers have unraveled the mystery of how light energy initiates the pumping process – and how nature made sure there is no anion leakage back outside.

Nutrient of the Month – Chloride, Just Misunderstood

For some reason, Chloride has gotten a bad name in the turf industry. Could it be, at some point in the past, a Superintendent over-applied chlorides and burned turf? Alternatively, could it be as simple as the margins for chloride products being so low that few fertilizer distributors want to sell the product?

Nutrition 101: Chloride

Chloride travels primarily with sodium and water and helps generate the osmotic pressure of body fluids. It is an important constituent of stomach hydrochloric acid (HCl), the key digestive acid. Chloride is also needed to maintain the body’s acid-base balance.

Resources

10 Things to Know About Chloride

Electrolytes in beverages like Gatorade lead to cellular hydration in athletes. It’s very similar in plants! Chloride, like potassium, helps with water regulation in plant cells leading to productive cells. Cellular hydration and turgidity of guard cells from proper plant nutrition also cause stomata to open, allowing CO2 into leaves to trigger photosynthesis and carbohydrate production.

Jake

Chloride is one of the two components that make up table salt, next to sodium. This means that it’s probably in most foods you have. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you’ve never heard about it. Often hidden in sodium’s notorious shadow, chloride is less well studied on its own. We need it to stay healthy, but does it also play a part in the adverse health effects attributed to sodium?

The Nutrition Source

Chloride is a mineral naturally found in various foods, but our main dietary source is sodium chloride, otherwise known as table salt. Chloride carries an electric charge and therefore is classified as an electrolyte, along with sodium and potassium. It helps to regulate the amount of fluid and types of nutrients going in and out of the cells. It also maintains proper pH levels, stimulates stomach acid needed for digestion, stimulates the action of nerve and muscle cells, and facilitates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide within cells.