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Sports drinks are the most popular electrolyte drinks on the market and the go-to fluid for replacing electrolytes after a workout. If you are trying to stick to your weight-loss goals, it’s important to skip these beverages after a morning workout.
Most people consume sports drinks because they want to replenish their electrolytes after exercise. Your body needs electrolytes to help create the electrical impulses that regulate nerve and muscle function. When you do not replenish electrolytes after sweating profusely, you can experience cramping, dizziness, and headaches.
Sports drinks are handy for endurance athletes who need the combination of easily digestible carbs, fluid, and electrolytes during a long training session or workout. For the average, at home workout, it’s not necessary to drink the added sugars and carbs that are part of the most sports drinks in order to get the electrolytes.
Diet and sugar-free options aren’t better for you either. Even though they do not have added sugar, they usually contain sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners often cause gas and bloating. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “ artificial sweeteners are typically 200 to 600 times sweeter than sugar. They stimulate your taste buds, go to your brain, affect your hormones and slow your metabolism.”
If you need to replenish your electrolytes, try some natural alternatives. One option is coconut water. Coconut water is naturally low in sugar and contains sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (all types of electrolytes.) Another option is cow’s milk. It’s also a rich supply of electrolytes like calcium, sodium, and potassium,and provides a healthy combination of carbs and protein that will help you refuel and promote muscle tissue repair after a workout.
