No Sugar Electrolyte Drinks: A Refreshing Way to Stay Hydrated & Healthy
We all know drinking water is good for us. Water helps hydrate our brains to boost our mood, memory, and thinking. It also lubricates our joints, regulates our body temperature, and helps us digest our food and get rid of toxins.
Water might just be our most essential nutrient. However, is drinking water alone enough to rehydrate and refresh? Why not take a quick extra step and ENHANCE it.
Electrolytes: The Vital Ingredients Water Is Missing
In general, women’s bodies are 55% water and men’s are 60% water. Our brain and heart contain over 70% water, our lungs and joint cartilage over 80%, and our skin is composed of over 60% water. So, yes, drinking water is a must to stay hydrated and in balance.
However, our bodies also need essential minerals to function properly. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and phosphorus are six electrolytes your body needs. Electrolytes all carry an electric charge and are involved in helping with nerve function, nerve transmission and muscle contractions.
More specific examples of what these electrolytes do include:
- Sodium – Works with potassium to help muscles expand and contract, and helps conduct nerve impulses.
- Potassium – Supports your heart muscle and blood pressure, and helps nerves transmit and muscles contract.
- Magnesium – Helps the body convert glucose to energy, prevents muscle cramps, and helps regulate the heart and blood sugar.
- Calcium – Plays an important role in nerve transmission, nerve function and muscle contractions, such as regulating heart rhythm.
- Chloride – Helps regulate the amount of fluid and types of nutrients going in and out of cells and helps keep tendons and joints healthy.
- Phosphorus – Helps the body deliver oxygen to muscles for repair of cells and tissues, and helps with nerve signaling.
When your body is low on electrolytes, you may feel muscle cramps, fatigue, or even an irregular heartbeat. You can learn more about the benefits of sugar-free electrolyte drinks on our website.
Adding Electrolytes & Flavor to Water and Zero Sugar
Adding electrolytes to your body is easy—there are many electrolyte drinks and drink mixes to choose from—but the key is to choose an electrolyte drink without sugar.
High amounts of sugar in drinks can increase your blood sugar levels and then “crash” leaving you feeling tired and craving more calories or sugar. Plus, excess sugar is stored as fat in the body, which can make it harder to maintain your personal ideal weight. Sugary drinks can also contribute to tooth decay, which can lead to cavities and other teeth and gum issues.
Artificial sweeteners aren’t a terrific choice either. While they are better than sugar, in that they do not contribute to tooth decay or blood sugar changes, many artificial sweeteners can leave you feeling bloated or cause diarrhea and other digestive issues.
Some drinks substitute sugar with sugar alcohols like sorbitol or xylitol, but these can cause similar digestive issues in some people too.
If sugar, sugar alcohols, and artificial sweeteners aren’t ideal, then what’s left? Plant-based sweeteners such as organic stevia. Stevia sugar substitutes come from the leaves of the stevia plant, which has been used for food and medicinal purposes in Latin America and South America for hundreds of years. No carbs, no calories and no sugar within, the stevia plant is estimated to be 100 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar.
Zero Sugar Does Not Mean Zero Taste
Some people have stayed away from stevia-based sweeteners because of some reports the taste might be bitter. That may be true in some products, but not in ours because of the ingredients with which we surround it.
Our Ultima Replenisher® electrolyte mixes are sweetened with organic stevia leaf and real fruit and vegetable extracts for a delicious taste—zero sugar, no bitterness. There’s also no caffeine or GMOs, and our products are good for gluten-free, vegan, Paleo, and keto diets.
Healthy hydration is a key part of maintaining overall wellness, and, as you can see here, there’s more to hydration than just water. We think your wellness efforts can be fun and flavorful too!
If you’re a fan of flavorful cocktails, try our Mocktini Variety Pack, which features Appletini, Coconut Piña Colada and Peach Bellini. Perfect sugar-free refreshment in spring and summer or any time of the year. We have multiple flavors that are scoopable for home or work, or in stickpacks that you can take and use anywhere.