*Electrolytes are necessary for proper body functions
*Adding electrolytes to liquids helps you rehydrate after workouts
*Here are three healthy electrolyte supplements for fast recovery
Working out is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it can leave your body dehydrated and your muscles in dire need of support to recover properly and reduce soreness. That’s where electrolytes come in.
Electrolytes are minerals found in your blood, tissues and other body fluids that must be replenished through eating and drinking mineral-rich foods and liquids. Electrolytes, like magnesium, sodium and potassium, help to balance the water levels in your body (hydration), provide cells with nutrients and ensure proper brain, heart, nerve and muscle function. Long story short, electrolytes are absolutely necessary to keep your body balanced and working at its best.
Drinking electrolyte-rich beverages, like sports drinks, post-exercise is a great way to replenish your body, but options like Gatorade and Powerade can be full of artificial ingredients and tons of sugar. That’s why we’ve found the three best electrolyte supplements to add to water for maximum recovery power without all the nasty additives. Hydration, here you come!
1. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier is an electrolyte powder containing 11 essential minerals and vitamins to support muscle recovery. Each single-serving packet provides the same hydration benefits as two to three bottles of water but utilizes scientific ratios of electrolytes to ensure that nutrients enter the bloodstream directly. That means that you’ll be hydrated faster than with H2O alone. Customers say the acai berry, lemon lime and passion fruit flavors are pleasantly milder than traditional sports drinks and don’t leave an overly-sugary aftertaste.
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2. Nuun Hydration: Electrolyte Drink Tablets
With just one gram of sugar and 10 calories, Nuun tablets bring flavor and necessary minerals without blood sugar spikes. Each small tube—in citrus fruit, lemon lime, orange or tri-berry—contains 10 dissolving tablets and can easily be thrown in your gym bag, saddle bag or running belt so you can rehydrate in a snap whenever a water bottle is nearby. Reviewers love using Nuun to relieve painful cramps and say they prefer the refreshing carbonation from the tablets over flat water.
3. LyteShow Electrolyte Concentrate
If you’re looking for an uber-clean electrolyte supplement, LyteShow is the option for you: absolutely no calories, sweeteners, carbohydrates (hello, keto diet!), artificial colors or flavors, or preservatives. Since this liquid supplement only consists of zinc, citric acid and minerals sourced in Utah, it has a mild salty taste that can easily be hidden with a small squeeze of lemon, according to reviewers. LyteShow devotees say that the four-ounce bottle lasts over a month with daily use, making it a great deal.
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