Salt Series: Exercise

We all remember the constant advertisements for Gatorade and the need to replenish our electrolytes during and following exercise. But those drinks are filled with real and artificial sugar, and there might be an easier way. 

In conjunction with our Salt - How You've Been Misled and How It Can Change Your Life blog, I wanted to dive deeper into how salt can improve not only your performance during exercise, but get rid of that need to quench your thirst. 

Even if you're drinking enough water, you might feel like you still struggle to cool down during your workout. Salt can help. Adding 2, 300 mg of sodium (or about a teaspoon of salt) per liter of water has been found to reduce total fluid loss during exercise. Drinking salty water can be a little gross at times, so here's some better ideas:

1. Thirty minutes prior to starting exercise, take about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and wash it down with water to help hydrate you and improve overall circulation .

2. Dilute salt in a mixture of lemon, lime, and orange juice.

3. Eat three large pickles or five large olives washed down with some pickle/olive juice

4. Dissolve chicken bouillon cubes in warm water and drink

Some benefits you might notice from this dosage of salt prior to exercise include:

• Less thirst - You won't feel the need to quench your third and you'll need less water to feel good

• Greater exercise capacity - You'll be able to train longer due to improved body cooling and circulation resulting in tissue oxygenation and blood flow, plus you'll be better hydrated

• Improved performance as a result of feeling good

• Improved muscle gains as a result of being able to work harder longer

• Decreased risk of muscle cramps

• Increased kidney function and the ability to excrete more water

Try it out. If you notice an improvement, you may want to make this part of your regular pre-workout regimen.