Shedding Light on Healthy Electrolyte Intake

2-billion-dollar industry is developing around healthy ways to enhance water to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes and minerals back in the body. Most consumers are beginning to recognize, hydration is the foundation of health. Whether you had a virus, a strong work out, a hangover, or are generally dehydrated, part of your recovery has probably included a rehydration sports or electrolyte drinks. These drinks have traditionally been filled with extra calories and sugar, which can be good in a small amount of situations, like intense workouts (one hour or more, according to Cedars Sinai Hospital), but falls short for the millions of people that need it to replenish their bodies on a regular basis without unhealthy side effects. According to a recent article in Forbes, “…an estimated 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration.” For Americans, finding healthier ways of absorbing electrolytes is essential to maintaining a balanced healthy body. Therefore, it has become passion for emerging companies, to find ways of hydrating their customer, without unhealthy food coloring, calories, and/ or sugar. Here’s why:

What happens when your body is too low on electrolytes or dehydrated?

We mostly lose electrolytes through sweat, urine, vomiting, or diarrhea. What’s important to remember is that we are all electrical beings. Our body relies on an electrical balance to function in a healthy way, communicate with organs, tissues and muscles. When electrolytes in our bodies are depleted, the body has trouble removing toxins, absorbing nutrients, staying hydrated, balancing ph levels, maintaining a healthy heart rate or steady muscles. This is called electrolyte imbalance.

What is an electrolyte?

So, what are electrolytes? The short answer is, minerals in your body that have an electric charge. Electrolytes in our bodies include sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, and phosphate. All these minerals all hold electrical charges which helps our cells and organs function properly in the body.

According to a blog by Cedars-Sinai clinical dietitians Erika Der Sarkissian and Christina Fasulo, claim,"Sugar, salt, and water help your body absorb fluids, but a lot of sports drinks have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes to really help your body replenish the electrolytes it needs."This is why, finding more healthy alternatives, is essential to having a healthier body in the future.

Here are 4 healthier alternatives to traditional hydration and electrolyte drinks:

1. Sea Salt You can try an at home sea salt hydration blend or get your electrolytes and essential vitamins from new and healthier products, like Guardian’s rehydration drink which includes sea salt, potassium, and calcium electrolytes, but also helps you get your daily doses of vitamin d, c, and b for even more benefits.
2. Drink juices For example, pineapple, orange, and (tart) cherry juice has potassium which is an electrolyte that can help with muscle contraction and more. However, juices are traditionally low in sodium, making them less of an electrolyte drink. An alternative to just juice would be to try a tropical or citrus Guardian Athletic drink which contains sea salt.
3. Coconut Water is another option for rehydration and electrolyte balance that is also low on sugar and calories. It has electrolytes such as manganese, potassium, and sodium, which can help you recover from minor illness and replenish after a workout.
4. Take a bath One of the fastest ways to get magnesium into the body is in a bath. A product like Guardian’s RecoverySoak is a fast and effective way to regulate your electrolytes in your body while also relieving the impact of harsh workouts and adrenal fatigue. With ingredients like lavender essential oil, nano hemp, and arnica, your body will recover from the shock of any workout, adrenal fatigue, and inflammation and help you have a good night’s rest.