How to Make Gatorade at Home

During a heavy workout, fitness routine or outdoor exposure on an especially hot day, your body loses electrolytes when you sweat. For optimum health, these electrolytes need to be replenished. Without electrolyte replacement, the muscles, nerves and cells of your body would not be able to work together successfully. Electrolytes are composed of mostly potassium and sodium, and the consumption of water alone does not replace electrolytes. But Gatorade and other sports drinks do contain the elements needed to fulfill the body's need for electrolytes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Package of Kool-aid, unsweetened
• Large pitcher
• Spoon
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 2 quarts of cold tap water or bottled water

1. In a large pitcher add the contents of one package of Kool-aid. Since you will be adding sugar to the recipe, unsweetened Kool-aid will taste best.

2. Add the orange juice to the pitcher, and mix thoroughly with the Kool-aid, until it is completely dissolved. Don’t rush this process; otherwise you will have little chunks of Kool-aid floating around your drink.

3. Stir in two quarts of cold water with the mixture in the pitcher. Very cold tap water is fine, but you can also use bottled spring water. The colder the better for immediate use, otherwise you will need to let it chill in the refrigerator for a while.

4. Dissolve the sugar and salt in the pitcher along with the other ingredients. Mix well to fully disperse the sugar and salt particles.

5. Drink and enjoy your homemade Gatorade. Repeat the process using other flavors of kool aid, if additional pitchers are desired.

Tips & Warnings

• The above recipe is best when followed specifically, but you can alter it to suit your taste.
• Pay attention to your body during exercise and outdoor activity on a hot day. If you are feeling faint, or have any feelings of discomfort or general unwellness, seek medical attention immediately.
• Some people can not tolerate sugar or salt in their diet. Therefore, a doctor’s recommendation of an alternate source of electrolyte replacement should be sought.
• It is not recommended to drink the Gatorade recipe exclusively. Your body still needs plain water to function optimally. During normal activity water will suffice.

Resources

• More information about electrolytes and how they affect the body

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!