Exercise doesn’t end with that last rep lifted or mile ran. Recovery is just as important as an excellent routine. Skip chemical-laden sports drinks and opt for this juice. It’s the best post-workout hydration drink to help you replenish important electrolytes and get your muscles ready for the next round.
What’s In This Article?
What is Hydration and Why is it Important to the Body?
Hydration is vital for the proper function of a wide array of operations inside our bodies. Here are just a few (1):
- Sleep Quality
- Organ Function
- Regulation of Body Temperature
- Cell Nutrient Delivery
- Mood Regulation
- Joint Lubrication
- Cognitive Abilities
Hydration, however, isn’t achieved solely by the amount of water you drink, it’s about getting that water to the right places in your body. Here’s where electrolytes play a key role.
How do Electrolytes Help with Hydration?
Electrolytes are minerals (like calcium, potassium, and sodium) that supply a negative or positive electrical charge when dissolved in water (2). Water (H2O) itself doesn’t contain electrolytes. What does this have to do with hydration? Everything.
Electrolytes are fundamental to proper hydration because they help our cells maintain optimal fluid balance, directing water and soluble nutrients to areas that need them. Without them, our bodies simply would cease to function (3):
- Muscles weaken or lose the ability to be controlled
- Cells cease to absorb nutrients
- Confusion and behavior changes set in
- Organs become damaged
When we sweat, like during exercise, we lose these charged particles and must replace them to keep our system balanced.
Does Watermelon Have Electrolytes?
You bet it does!!! Watermelon contains the electrolytes potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, along with L-citrulline (4). This amino acid is thought to enhance athletic performance and improve oxygen transport. Watermelon is also downright delicious, making it a great post-workout drink.
Fruit juice alone, however, is typically short on salt – a crucial component to achieving hydration. That’s why I added a touch of Himalayan pink salt. Sodium is key to hydration in the body (5), and Himalayan salt is naturally high in sodium, along with other important electrolytes (calcium, potassium, and magnesium).
Lime and ginger both help make this juice taste even better. Plus, ginger possesses powerful anti-nausea properties, an added bonus for recovery from extreme activities like running a marathon where a queasy stomach is sometimes an unpleasant side effect.
The Best Juicer for Watermelon
I made the Electrolyte Punch using the PURE Juicer. This bad boy brings the very best to the table!
- Best Juice Yield in its Class: Up to 50% More!
- Significant Produce Cost Savings Over Time
- Proven Outstanding Nutrient Extraction
- Makes So Much More Than Juice!
- 12-Year Warranty
- Top Price-Point in its Category
- Bit of a Learning Curve
- Larger Footprint
The PURE Juicer stands out from its competitors with its superior juice yield and nutrient extraction capabilities. Thanks to its 2.5-ton press and two-step extraction process, you’ll be rewarded with 30-50% more juice than the competition. Those gains allow the PURE to pay for itself!
This machine is a true workhorse, constructed of high-caliber food-grade stainless steel protected by an impressive 12-year warranty. A serious bonus is its ability to do way more than juice. Make nice cream, sorbets, nut milk, baby food, cauliflower rice, and even grind coffee!
I highly recommend the PURE Juicer for serious home juicers or light commercial users. It’s a fantastic investment that’s worth every penny!
Here’s the Recipe!
Print
Electrolyte Punch
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 64 fl oz 1x
Description
Exercise doesn’t end with that last rep lifted or mile ran. Recovery is just as important, so try this juice to replenish important electrolytes and get your muscles ready for the next round!
Instructions
- Remove the watermelon rind (optional).
- Peel the limes (optional).
- Scrub the ginger.
- Run the ingredients through your juicer, mix in the sea salt, and enjoy!!!
Notes
I always opt for seeded watermelon, finding them typically riper (therefore sweeter) than their seedless counterparts. When it comes to the watermelon rind, you can definitely juice it. I simply prefer to cut it off because it can dilute the sweetness level of the final juice.
I also juice my citrus with the rind on, when a recipe calls for only one or two. I like the bitter tang and the additional beneficial compounds you get from the oils in the skin. Enjoy and Stay Juicy!!!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Category: Juicing for Health
Keywords: hydration, watermelon, electrolytes, natural hydration, post-workout, exercise recovery, dehydration
More Juices For Hydration!
Here are a few more delicious hydration juice recipes from Juicer Test Kitchen!
- Boost your electrolytes with this Honeydew and Coconut Water combo!
- This one targets your skin, and it’s great for overall body hydration.
- Get hydrated with this gorgeous take on fresh coconut water!
Post a comment below if you try this recipe. We’d LOVE to hear from you!