While there’s no replacement for drinking plenty of water in your daily routine, certain situations require electrolyte drinks. Unfortunately, most commercial electrolyte drinks are packed full of sugar and artificial ingredients, so why not make your own healthier (and more affordable) version from the comfort of your kitchen?
Electrolyte replacement becomes important during and after bouts of diarrhea as diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in children.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, electrolytes are “minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge.” They affect your bodily functions in critical ways, such as the following:
- The amount of water in your body
- The acidity of your blood (pH)
- Your muscle functions
The most common electrolytes include magnesium, calcium, chloride, sodium, phosphorous and potassium. They come in the form of salts or acids and can be measured in a blood test.
What’s Wrong with Commercial Sports Drinks?
Before getting to your homemade electrolyte drink recipe, let’s take a quick look at why avoiding commercial sports drinks is in your best interest. First, common drinks like Gatorade are high in sugar, and offer essentially no natural ingredients. They contain artificial coloring and flavoring agents, which can feed a sugar addiction and even lead to tooth decay. Furthermore, sugar and certain artificial ingredients can worsen symptoms of diarrhea in some people.
Without further ado, read on for your recipe!
Ingredients – Homemade Electrolyte Drink for Diarrhea
Coconut Water
Coconut water is impressively rich in electrolytes. Believe it or not, this deliciously refreshing beverage has been used in lieu of medical hydration solutions (in a professional medical setting, of course). Be sure to choose a brand that does not include added sugars.
Salt
Adding a pinch of salt to electrolyte drinks is important to maintain the balance of fluids in the body, and it also is a major player in both muscle and nerve function.
Calcium/Magnesium
Add a quality calcium/magnesium supplement to help replenish lost minerals. You’ll want to choose a brand without added sugars; your local health food store will likely have plenty of options in both powder and liquid form. Reference the back of the bottle for proper dosage.
Fresh Orange Juice and/or Raw Honey
Adding some fresh squeezed orange juice (ideally not the kind you buy boxed at the store) can add a touch of sweetness from natural fruit sugars, which can help with both taste and energy. If you don’t have oranges on hand you could use honey (raw is best) or do a bit of each.
Recipe and Directions
2-4 servings
Ingredients:
- 4 cups coconut water
- 1 cup orange juice
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 serving of calcium magnesium powder
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons of honey
Instructions:
- Add your calcium/magnesium powder and salt to the coconut water, mixing thoroughly.
- Add the rest of your ingredients and mix well. If you prefer a frothier drink, you can also combine all ingredients in a blender –or mason jar and shake vigorously.
- If not drinking right away, store your electrolyte drink in a glass container in the fridge, where it keeps for about one week.
- Enjoy!
Next time you or your child comes down with a case of diarrhea, have these simple ingredients stocked in your kitchen and create this homemade electrolyte drink for diarrhea – it will help you bounce back.
