Every time you sweat you lose key electrolytes—sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and phosphate. The more you lose the more dehydrated your body becomes, which leads to sluggishness, headache and muscle cramps. Sports drinks are packed with the electrolytes your body is thirsting for, and these days there are plenty of all-natural and even sugar-free options to choose from.
The sugar-free, calorie-free version of classic Gatorade is sweetened with sucralose (the same sweetener that’s in Splenda and Coke Zero) instead of the real deal. Flavors like “Glacier Cherry” and “Glacier Freeze” definitely don’t come from nature—but they taste so refreshing after an intense workout.
Not a fan of artificial colors and sweeteners? Neither is the Oxford-educated biologist who created these to-go hydration packets. They’re made with real fruit juice powder and no food coloring or artificial sweeteners. (Although they do have some sugar, unlike our other two picks.)
The less sodium and potassium in your body, the more likely you are to suffer from painful and annoying cramps. Curb them on the go with this sleek tube of electrolyte tablets. They’re non-GMO certified, get their color from natural food dyes like beet juice powder, riboflavin and spirulina and are sweetened with calorie-free, all-natural stevia extract.
