Next week, I will be going to Japan. I’m excited for my long-awaited trip to Japan, but when I checked the weather, it seems to be extremely hot, and there have been quite a few cases of heatstroke.

Last summer, I went to Phoenix, Arizona for my daughter’s baseball tournament, which lasted for 5 days. Phoenix is a desert, and the temperature reaches a scorching 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) from the morning. Although I anticipated it would be hot, I didn’t expect it to rise that high.

Meanwhile, my daughter’s team had to endure the harsh conditions of playing two games a day under the scorching sun for five days straight. To the best of my knowledge, we took thorough preventive measures starting three days before the game.

Of course, their youth might have played a role, but thanks to that, my daughter managed to achieve her highest batting average of .470. As a catcher, she also played in all six games without getting too tired, despite the blistering sun.

The primary reason for this success was the “electrolytes.” It is common sense that staying hydrated is crucial during hot weather, but by paying attention to electrolytes and maintaining a proper intake of fluids and food, the body performs even better. Electrolytes are substances that conduct electricity in our cells, allowing them to generate electrical signals and contract muscles. Since our cells are mostly made up of water, the entire body requires electrolytes. However, excessive sweating can lead to the loss of electrolytes, causing a significant decline in cellular function and affecting various bodily functions, making it a major cause of heatstroke.

Nutrients that function as electrolytes include sodium chloride (salt), potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphates. Among them, sodium, potassium, and magnesium are particularly important.

Sports drinks like Gatorade and Pocari Sweat (Japan) are commonly recommended, but if you prefer natural options, coconut water actually has the most balanced composition of these nutrients. Even we, under the scorching heat of 45 degrees Celsius, replaced water with coconut water and drank several bottles a day.

Furthermore, fruits such as bananas, pineapples, oranges, avocados, watermelons, tomatoes, spinach, and legumes (especially lentils) are rich in electrolytes.

You may have noticed that tropical foods naturally contain abundant electrolytes. For thousands of years, the Earth has provided the necessary nutrients for creatures living in different climates. Therefore, by consuming local produce during the season when they are harvested, our minds and bodies can naturally stay healthy.