5 Drinks That Boost Your Workout Naturally
No need to go to the store to buy sports drinks. These natural workout-boosters can be made at home. (Photo: Getty Images)
A sports drink won’t make you run faster or jump higher—it’ll merely replenish fluids and nutrients you lose while sweating. But there are beverages that really do have a training effect. Sip water as you work out (dehydration can slow you down), and try these other drinks for real results. (Find out which detox superfoods can help you lose up to 13 pounds in 2 weeks with Heal Your Whole Body.)
CHERRY JUICE
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How much: 2½ cups
Best time to sip: Every day for a week leading up to (as well as the day of) any athletic event like a race.
Beverage benefits: Endurance athletes who drank cherry juice before running a marathon felt less pain afterward than those who didn’t. Phytochemicals in the drink appear to ease inflammation. (Cherry juice can also help you sleep 90 more minutes a night. Here’s how.)
FAT-FREE MILK
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Best time to sip: Right after strength-training
How much: 2 to 4 cups
Beverage benefits: The protein in the milk helps repair muscles you’ve exerted. The calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones and may help you lose more fat.
Related: 12 Metabolism-Boosting Foods To Always Keep On Hand
GREEN TEA
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Best time to sip: Daily, including right before a workout
How much: 3 to 4 cups
Beverage benefits: The caffeine in green tea will help you work out longer. You’ll also shed more fat, thanks to compounds called catechins, which increase fat burn, especially during aerobic exercise.
Related: 5 Ways To Drink Green Tea For Weight Loss
GINGER LEMONADE
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How much: Add ½ teaspoon grated ginger to 8 ounces of lemonadea
Best time to sip: Daily
Beverage benefits: Ginger, which contains anti-inflammatory compounds, has been found to ease postworkout muscle soreness by up to 25%.
COFFEE
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How much: Daily, especially before a workout
Best time to sip: Drink 3 to 4 cups prior to a workout (see all the health benefits of coffee—and feel more than justified in that extra cup—in this fun infographic).
Beverage benefits: Caffeine can increase endurance and delay fatigue—helping you exercise longer and stronger.
By Jessica Cassity
This article “5 Drinks That Boost Your Workout Naturally” originally ran on Prevention.com.
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