Gatorade, PowerAde, electrolyte pumped-up sports drinks…they’re good for you, right? You see athletes chugging down bottles of the neon-colored liquid in every ad and real life, surely they do something, and they do. They help you maintain your body’s balance of electrolytes during or after periods of heavier exercise. But when you look closer, you’re really just paying an outrageous price for glorified, brightly colored, sugar water. An overload of processed and refined sweetener (in the case of sports drinks, high-fructose corn syrup) is never a good thing. And while artificial flavors and colors don’t technically do much to your health, a part of me just shies away from the idea of ingesting things that are “fake.”
What are electrolytes, and why do we need them?
Here we are making a big fuss over electrolytes, but what are they really? And why do they matter? There are tons of electrolytes out there, but in our bodies they are basically calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium chloride, hydrogen phosphate (a mineral) and hydrogen carbonate (a salt.) These electrolytes are vital for survival-not only could we not function if we didn’t have them, if we dilute them too much, it can lead to death by “water poisoning.” They regulate our nerve and muscle function, our hydration, the pH of our blood, rebuilding damaged tissue, and determining blood pressure.
You’ll notice that these electrolytes can easily be provided by eating a balanced diet but humans will push their bodies, and during strenuous exercise you sweat, and when you sweat you’re losing electrolytes. There are also times that diet won’t suffice; many pregnant women find they need extra means of getting electrolytes, or when you’re ill. Regardless of why you’re drinking one though, try making your own first. It may not come with a fancy marketing scheme, but your body will thank you.
1. Ginger Electrolyte Sports Drink
If a long, tough workout leaves you feeling a bit queasy, try this homemade drink that uses ginger water as its base. Not only will the tangy spice calm your stomach, ginger may also reduce muscle pain and soreness. Photo and Recipe: Gabby / Gabby’s Gluten-Free
2. Cranberry-Maple Sports Drink Recipe
High in vitamin C, this cranberry sports drink provides a tangy option to replenish depleted electrolytes. Maple syrup and star anise blend for a sweet and savory flavor combination. Photo and Recipe: Jenn / Fit Bottomed Eats
3. Lemon-Lime Lay-Low Energy Drink
While coconut water can be an energy drink all its own, this recipe blends the tropical treat with lemon, lime, sea salt and sugar, for a naturally sweet version of Gatorade. Photo and Recipe: Claire / Everyday Roots
4.Coconut Watermelon Workout Drink
Not only can watermelon can help reduce muscle soreness after a tough workout, it’s also rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps promotes a healthy heart. Mixed with lime and coconut water, this is one flavor-packed drink that tastes nothing like what you’d find in a bottle. Photo and Recipe: Monica / Run Eat Repeat
5. Bright ‘n Early Recipe
You will need…
-1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
-1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
-1 ½ to 2 cups of fresh water
-1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
-2 tablespoons natural sugar or honey, to taste
Source: dailyburn.com
everydayroots.com
