Homemade Electrolyte Drink

I created this homemade electrolyte recipe to prevent dehydration during dry winter months, for a good post workout option and for the occasional hangover. So whatever you may be experiencing this recipe is a great option if you aren’t a fan of Gatorade or just prefer making your own!

So what are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. Our bodies are made up of water, fluids and cells that utilize electrolytes. They help you regulate body functions and maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells. Electrolytes are also part of how your muscles contract.

What are the key electrolytes in this homemade electrolyte drink?

Sodium

Sodium plays a critical role in helping your cells maintain the right balance of fluid and absorb nutrients. 

Magnesium

Magnesium helps cells turn nutrients into energy. Your brain and muscles need magnesium to function.

Potassium 

Your cells use potassium and sodium together. Potassium is also especially critical to your heart function. Too much or too little can cause serious heart problems.

Calcium 

Calcium does more than just build strong bones and teeth. It’s also used to control your muscles, transmit signals in your nerves, manage your heart rhythm and more.

Chloride 

Chloride is the second-most abundant ion in the body. It’s also a key part of how your cells maintain their internal and external balance of fluid. It also plays a role in maintaining the body’s natural pH balance.

Phosphate 

Phosphate helps your cells metabolize nutrients, and it’s also a key part of molecules called nucleotides, which are the building blocks that make up your DNA.

Bicarbonate 

Not all the carbon dioxide that your body makes gets sent to your lungs for you to breathe it out. Instead, some gets recycled into bicarbonate, which your body uses to keep your blood pH levels normal.

Electrolyte Drink Nutritional Ingredients:

Citrus Juices: Orange, Grapefruit, Lime and Lemon as we all know provide vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential in bone formation, connective tissue repair, and gum health. It also helps the immune system fight infections and protects against free radical damage of cells.

Ginger: Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility ― the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn’t linger as long in the gut.”

Baking Soda: Baking soda is a popular supplement among athletes, who also call it sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda may help delay fatigue due to its high pH, letting you perform at max intensity for longer.

Salt:  Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is about 40% sodium and 60% chloride. The human body requires a small amount of sodium to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals. It is estimated that we need about 500 mg of sodium daily for these vital functions. 

Another electrolyte packed drink to try is my green juice!