Part of helping your body achieve its peak health and physical performance is to ensure you’re getting enough electrolytes. The Cleveland Clinic explains that electrolytes are important minerals that do everything from regulating blood pressure and muscle concentration to keeping your entire system functioning. While it might seem like a daunting task to do, getting enough electrolytes on a daily basis is easier than you think!
All you have to do is sip on electrolytes drinks that are packed with minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Some might already be on your weekly grocery list, while others will be easy to start implementing into your diet. Here is a comprehensive list of six drinks you probably didn’t know are packed with electrolytes…
Milk
You’ve probably heard how important drinking milk is for maintaining strong teeth and bones and that’s because it’s loaded with calcium. But did you know there are three other vital electrolytes you’ll gain from a cold glass of milk? That right — milk is also loaded with sodium, potassium and magnesium.
LiveStrong explains how each of these electrolytes play a role in keeping you healthy. For example, sodium and potassium keep your muscles and nerves functioning properly. Then there’s magnesium that works to regulate your heartbeat and lower blood pressure, among other health perks.
Smoothies
There are endless smoothie recipes for you to try out. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and dairy products are some of the best sources of electrolytes. You can tweak the ingredients however you prefer to satisfy your taste buds and know that it’s rich in electrolytes.
All you need is a blender, liquid base and your favorite fruit or vegetables to add flavor. Smoothies are an especially good way to help you recover after a strenuous workout after you’ve lost an excess amount of electrolytes. Be mindful however of the sugar content and make sure there’s a nice mixture of fruits, vegetables, and protein. Many smoothies are high in sugar.
Add Electrolytes to Any Drink
If you’re on the go and don’t have immediate access to an electrolyte-fuel drink, it could be helpful to keep electrolyte tablets on hand. It also comes in powdered format. These are convenient tablets you can simply drop into your water, then shake or stir to mix.
Coconut Water
Don’t mistake coconut water for being just coconut-flavored water. If you were to crack open a coconut, the clear fluid inside of is what’s actually considered coconut water. This is one of the best types of juices to indulge in because it has half as many calories compared to other types of juices, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Coconut water contains potassium, sodium and manganese electrolytes. This can be beneficial for many Americans who don’t get enough potassium, especially since it contains more of this essential nutrient than four bananas have. Coconut water is also a healthier alternative than sports drinks since it contains less sugar, sodium and calories.
Sports Drinks
The entire purpose of sports drinks is to fuel athletes and active people with electrolytes. These flavorful beverages are made to replenish electrolytes and can help you stay hydrated during intensive exercise. Just be careful not to over consume Powerade or Gatorade because a 12-ounce bottle can contain over 20-grams of added sugar.
Healthline says you only need pure fruit juice, coconut water and a pinch of salt to make your own healthier alternative.
Pedialyte
If you think Pedialyte is only meant for children, think again! This drink is also an excellent way to rehydrate adults. Health.com says it contains more sodium and less sugar than sports beverages. It helps to cure dehydration and could be an effective way to refuel your levels quickly.
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Be Aware of Electrolyte Imbalances
Unfortunately, it is possible to have too high or too low of electrolyte levels. An electrolyte imbalance could occur for many reasons. Some of them include poor diet, severe dehydration, congestive heart failure, prolonged periods of vomiting or diarrhea and more. For example, you lose electrolytes during a workout. That makes it important to replenish them with a proper diet post-workout.
If you’re concerned about having an electrolyte imbalance, you should talk to your doctor. They can screen for imbalances with an electrolyte panel and help you decide on a course of action to get that balance back to a healthy level.
