Have you ever ended a workout feeling like something’s not right? An irregular heart rate or blurred vision and even vomiting could be signs that the electrolytes in your body are out of balance.

Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are all electrolytes that hang out in your bloodstream, carrying electrical charges to the places that need them. They help you hydrate properly, balance your ph levels, regulate muscle contractions and even control nervous system functions. After a tough exercise session or a brutal illness, they may be depleted.

Just drinking a bottle of water won’t replenish electrolytes fast enough in many cases. And a lot of sports drinks have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes to be helpful. Here are some of the quickest ways to return your electrolyte level to normal and keep your body functioning at optimal efficiency.

Liquid Cure

While you want to stay hydrated when you’re working out, drinking too much water may cause a condition that lowers your electrolyte levels. There are a number of refreshing drinks that are chock full of electrolytes and will help counteract fluid loss at the same time.

Watermelons have potassium and magnesium and hydrate you even in their natural state. Watermelon juice also contains amino acids, which help to improve oxygen transport, so you get a little extra health boost.

If you’re looking for a drink that comes close to your body’s electrolyte composition, coconut water is the way to go. It’s very low in sugar and contains potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, so it’ll typically raise your electrolyte level quickly.

If your go-to drink is still plain old water, you can purchase electrolyte tablets. Just drop one into your water bottle and stir. They typically contain all the main electrolytes but check the bottle, as the amount of each one varies by brand.

Tasty Foods to Replace Electrolytes

Many fruits, vegetables, and nuts are rich in minerals. We’ve already discussed watermelon and most people know bananas are a great source of potassium, but there are plenty of other foods that will help you to recharge your electrolytes.

Fancy some avocado toast? Avocado is a terrific source of potassium and magnesium, which are great for athletes, who deplete these minerals on a regular basis.

Chia seeds are amazing for hydration, as well as being full of electrolytes. Create an electrolyte-packed gel drink by dropping them in water, add some minerals to your oatmeal by sprinkling them on top, or add them to your salad for an added healthy crunch.

This is just the iceberg’s tip of mineral-rich food useful for replenishing electrolytes. And if you like to mix and match, make a smoothie with several different but complementary flavors to really give your electrolytes a kick in the pants.

Salty Words

People talk about how unhealthy sodium is for you, but that’s not the whole truth. Salt contains sodium, which controls your blood pressure and your blood volume and makes sure your muscles and nerves work properly.

But too much sodium can raise your blood pressure too high, potentially causing a stroke, so, as with all things, moderation is key. You can get your sodium from salty foods like cheese or pickled onions, or sprinkle a little sea salt on an avocado or some rice. However, try to avoid foods with excessive salts, like fast food, which has the potential to send your blood pressure through the roof.

Bring Out the Big Guns

If you’re suffering from a serious depletion of electrolytes and food and drink aren’t helping, give IV therapy a shot. An intravenous drip is the fastest way to replenish the minerals your body needs, with a quick recovery time.

IV drips can also be customized to your needs. Whether you’re low on potassium or need a little more magnesium in your life, if you’re recovering from the stomach flu or just an intense workout, there’s a recipe that can help.

Time to Recharge

You should have a pretty solid understanding now of why it’s important to replenish electrolytes quickly to make sure your body functions properly. For more great tips on everything from chartering a boat and using WordPress to getting power of attorney and building your dream home, check out our site.