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Let's start by sharing when and how sports drinks came about...
Sports drinks were invented back in 1965 because of something that was noticed with athletes (football players to be exact) performance in hot weather. You see, it was noticed by the assistant coach of the Florida Gators football team that the players performance was dropping drastically during the hotter months.
This was due to increased sweat and therefore, a loss in electrolytes.😅
After this observation and realisation, the drink was created. After the drink was formulated and given to the players, they went on to win the 'Orange Bowl' (an annual American Collage football game played in the Miami, Florida area).
Other sporting teams (football teams) caught on and then started to order batches of this new 'performance drink' - it wasn't long until the whole world caught on and this is how the sports/electrolyte industry was born, pretty cool huh?
"Gatorade" was the first ever sports drink created - developed by scientists and the name was inspired by the Gator's football team experience mentioned earlier. How incredible that this was picked up and one man's discovery has gone on to help many athletes worldwide to perform better.
While sports drinks have their perks, there could also be a downside of consuming them...
The darker Side of Sports Drinks
Majority of sports/electrolyte drinks contain sugar and often if they don't contain sugar they contain some kind of artificial sweetener, flavourings or food colouring (artificial dyes).
None of these ingredients are going to add health and vitality by consuming them and if anything they may actually have an opposite and detrimental effect on wellbeing.
Sure, they may help a person to replenish whilst training hard but the other ingredients counteract any good it may be doing and this doesn't seem worth it.
The sugar in sports drinks may have negative effects on teeth (causing decay) and this is especially so for children. Then you have to factor in the potential to cause weight gain if consumed by folks who shouldn't be consuming them (sedentary lifestyle or regular folks who move a little but not a lot and aren't sweating at the same level to be losing electrolytes).
It can be confusing to people I get that, as often these drinks are marketed as 'health drinks', so what would be the harm in that?
Why Regular Folks Should Probably Avoid Sports Drinks
Another point to make is that some folks drink sports drinks when they really shouldn't. Sports drinks were designed for athletes who may lose a lot of fluid and electrolytes while training, so if the average sedentary person or someone just goes for a walk around the block goes and consumes a sports drink, this may have negative consequences even more so for them as they aren't generally sweating as much as athletes or people who train hard.
We have to also address the sodium factor as sports drinks contain high amounts of this mineral. While sodium is an important mineral and electrolyte, it's important not to over-consume it.
People who are not athletes or training/sweating hardcore would be better to avoid sports drinks because it's not getting used up and you are adding in even more sodium to your diet which can spike your levels. Too much sodium in one's diet can cause heart attacks, heart disease, kidney damage and blood pressure issues (high BP).
What if There was a Better Way?
There sure is! It's to make your own sports/electrolyte drink and it's so much easier than you might realise...
All you need are a few simple ingredients and some type of shaker bottle (a protein shaker would work well).
Today, I am sharing with you my natural sports drink recipe that you can make at home or on the fly! So you'll never get caught out again and need to reach for an artificial electrolyte drink when you can have one that's as close to nature as you can possibly get!
This drink would suit just about anyone (even people who don't work out or move much because you can control whether you add sodium or not). This drink would even suit people who have a hangover and if anything, this drink is a wellness elixir because it contains so much goodness - not just electrolyte minerals!
Read more about the main ingredient right here.
100% Natural Organic Sports Drink
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water (preferably filtered)
- 2 scoops of Perfect Organic Baobab powder
- 2-3 drops of liquid stevia
- Pinch of sea/Himalayan salt or Redmond Real Ancient salt*
- Ice (optional)
Method:
- Put all ingredients into a shaker bottle, shake well and consume, it is literally that easy!
I've no doubt you'll enjoy this delicious concoction and feel it's incredible benefits whether you're training hard, sweating hard during hot yoga or in a sauna session or you just want to enjoy it as the wellness elixir that it is.
Pimp Your Sports Drink
Ok, so maybe you're like me and you like taking things to the next level. If that is you or you are looking to perhaps add a little caffeine (not a lot, but enough to make a difference), try adding a 1/2 scoop of the Perfect Organic Matchinga powder (matcha and moringa powder blend). This stuff is EPIC as it contains a little caffeine but a bunch of nutrients and antioxidants to help with oxidative stress and cell damage. It tastes like green tea! 🍵
Both moringa and matcha have scientific studies to show the health benefits that they may have. See the links in our reference section below.
You could also add in some Hydrolyzed collagen for protein/amino acids for your muscles or a scoop of Perfect Magnesium powder if you are deficient or low in this mineral. This is not health advice, one must always seek out health advice if unsure.
This is No Ordinary Sports Drink
Due to the 'magical' ✨ ingredient - Organic Baobab, this sports drink is unlike any other available anywhere! You won't find this on supermarket shelves or in the health food stores (as far as I'm aware anyway). This drink has so many potential benefits, everything from (potentially) helping with inflammation, fluid retention, anti-ageing, fighting free radicals, weight management, skin health, gut health and so much more!
To learn more about this fascinating super fruit from the African 'Tree of Life' be sure to check it out here.
References:
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abo4575
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-gatorade-bad-for-you#cons-of-gatorade
https://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/sportsdrinksUNM.html
https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2019/02/05/average-person-water-over-sports-drinks/#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20high%20sodium,damage%20and%20high%20blood%20pressure.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25374169/
Disclaimer: the information in this article is intended purely as information and not health advice. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure and one should always seek expert advice from their trusted health practitioner.
