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After a good workout, replenishing electrolytes is important, but the last place that I turn to is Gatorade. Growing up, Gatorade was a staple when we were sick or exercising. I remember whenever one of us had the flu, there was always chicken noodle soup and a bottle of Gatorade was always on hand. I myself, never really liked Gatorade. I have always found water and iced tea to be much more satisfying to my thirst. After learning just how easy it is to get electrolytes into your body through natural means, I wondered why I even needed to buy Gatorade or Powerade anymore.

Electrolyte beverages can contain banned ingredients

Made with artificial colors, flavors, and sugars, Gatorade and Powerade are a far cry from a healthy beverage. Not only are these ingredients the very same ADHD promoting ingredients we have talked about in Calm Your Squirrel, but they are also synthetic ingredients that do not give your body any nutritional benefit. Like other sugary drinks on the market today, Gatorade and Powerade both uses brominated vegetable oil (BVO). BVO, is used to increase fluidity and uniformity, as well as to create lead dissolving additives for gasoline, photographic paper films, fire-extinguishing materials, and agricultural fumigants. If that isn't enough, more than 100 countries have outlawed BVO altogether.

Electrolytes - it's what plants crave

Our cells, particularly our muscles, use certain chemicals together with water to make sure that the electrical charges in our bodies work properly. Sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are minerals which dissolve in water and form electrically charged electrolytes particles called “ions”. Maintaining the correct concentrations of these ions in and outside cells in the body is essential for transmitting electrical impulses along nerves and for muscle contraction. They allow us to perform all the “bioelectrical” functions such as moving, heart-beating, thinking, and seeing.

When you are sick or exercising, replenish more

Our bodies require a certain balance of water and electrolytes to survive. Too much or too little of either and your body's chemistry gets out of whack. When you are exercising, sweating more, throwing up, or have diarrhea, you are losing precious mineral balanced fluids from your body. Drinking too much water while dehydrated can cause you to over water your system and dilute your electrolyte levels. Many people, including athletes, neglect consistent electrolyte replenishment and their muscles start cramping during exercise. You need to provide your body with a consistent and adequate supply of electrolytes to maintain specific bodily functions at optimal levels during and after physical activities. Cramping is your body's way of letting you know that, in terms of electrolytes, it's on empty.

Health promoting ingredients

Citrus Fruits - Citrus fruits are rich in electrolytes and lemons have the most of any of them! The naturally occurring sugars in these fruit juices also help to maintain energy during a workout as well as to help speed up recovery afterward. Rich in vitamin C, citrus fruits also help to maintain the immune system and are great remedies for many cold and flu symptoms.

Raw Honey & Maple Syrup - The most important aspect here is that the honey is raw and the maple syrup is real. The other stuff is cut with high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors. Raw honey is filled with natural enzymes and minerals. The easily digestible sugars are great to keep energy high during exercise and honey is also a known natural antibiotic and great at soothing coughs and sore throats.

Sea Salt - Rich in several dozen trace minerals that our bodies need to survive (specifically sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium), I like to use Pink Himalayan Salt because it normally has a decent amount of trace minerals present. You must use some sort of sea salt or real salt, table salt does not contain any of those same minerals because of the way that it is processed. Salt “plays an important role of balancing the stress hormones during exercise. Salt reduces adrenaline levels and supports overall metabolic health.”

Coconut Water - My favorite source of electrolytes and often used in our home for hangovers and illness, coconut water is often called "Nature's Gatorade" because of its extremely high potassium content (one of the main functioning electrolytes that your body needs to prevent cramping). With 13x more potassium than Gatorade and twice the sodium of Gatorade, coconut water itself is a better natural alternative. When compared to Gatorade, coconut water was the clear winner between the two, being the natural alternative with less sugar, and more electrolytes for the win.

Homemade Electrolyte Drinks - 4 Tasty Flavors

You can substitute the water here with herbal tea infusion for extra herbal benefits. When you are ill with a stomach bug, teas like peppermint or spearmint can be nice on your digestive system helping you to feel better while also hydrating for better recovery. You can also mix and match your citrus and sweeten your beverages to taste.

Lemon Lime Delight

4 cups filtered water

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup raw unfiltered honey or maple syrup (or to taste)

1/4 tsp. real salt (no table salt!)

Orange you glad it's a beautiful day

3 cups filtered water

1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (about 3 oranges)

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey or maple syrup (or to taste)

1/4 tsp. real salt (no table salt!)

Put the lime in the coconut

Flowerchild Refreshment Punch

3 cups Flowerchild Refreshment Tea

1 cup coconut water (You can substitute fresh water here if you aren't a coconut person!)

1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

2 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey or maple syrup

1/4 tsp. real salt (no table salt!)

Directions

Mix ingredients together until salt and sweet are completely dissolved, and store in the fridge when you're not enjoying it! Drink during illness, during and after sports, or any other time electrolytes need to be replenished.