What are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are defined as minerals that carry an electrical charge. Sodium, calcium, chloride, potassium, phosphate, and magnesium are all electrolytes. 

When you consume food and drinks that contain these minerals, they distribute throughout your body and use their electrical energy to facilitate essential bodily functions.

They help:

• Balance the amount of water in your body
• Balance your body’s pH level
• Move nutrients into your cells
• Move waste out of your cells
• Ensure your nerves, muscles, heart, and brain are working properly

What is Electrolyte Water?

As the name suggests, electrolyte water is H2O infused with electrolytes. It comes in various forms:

• Tablets that you drop into water
• Powders you mix in
• Bottled water with electrolytes infused

Common examples of electrolyte water include Gatorade, Propel, Liquid IV, and Pedialyte.

Does Tap Water Have Electrolytes?

Tap water can contain electrolytes, but usually in small amounts. According to a study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, a liter of tap water contained an average of 2-3% of the reference daily intake (RDI) for calcium, sodium, and magnesium, but there’s little to no potassium in an average liter of tap water. 

However, there are instances where your water supply can contain an excessive amount of calcium and magnesium — also known as hard water. 

This type of water at home can present several problems for plumbing and appliances, from visible scale buildup to pipe corrosion. A water softener is the best solution for reducing hard water. 

How to Make Electrolyte Water

If you’re interested in making homemade electrolyte water, there are a few ways you can do it. Here are two recipes you can try at home.

Recipe #1 (adapted from Healthline)

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of lemon juice
• ¼ cup of pomegranate juice
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1½ cups of unsweetened coconut water
• 2 cups of filtered water

Steps

• Put all ingredients into a bowl and whisk together.
• Pour mixture into a pitcher.
• Chill to your desired temperature and serve.

Recipe #2 (adapted from Raising Generation Nourished)

Ingredients

• 2 cups of filtered water
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ¼ teaspoon of real sea salt, Himalayan salt, or Celtic sea salt
• 2 teaspoons of raw honey

Steps

• Put all ingredients in an appropriately sized container, such as a pint mason jar.
• Shake or stir until all the ingredients dissolve.
• Store and chill the mixture in your refrigerator for at least two hours.