Homemade electrolytes

[Dobri]

Hi guys, has anyone tried to make own electrolytes? I see there was threads about energy gels and bars but I did not find any for electrolytes.

At R10 - R20 per bottle, and I use anything from 6 - 16 bottles weekly, it becomes very expensive. 

I try to stock up when sales are available but I would like to try and make my own, at least to use during training.

There is a few videos / suggestions on Google but I would like to know if anyone has actually tried it and did it work, was it worth it, list of suppliers. etc.  

Thank you.

[dave303e]

I use the biogen effervescent tablets, R150 for 30 of them gets it down to R4.90 a bottle.

It is cheap enough and requires no added admin. 

There is also a lifestyle effervescent at dischem which is R130 for 30, R4,30 a bottle.

Both have relatively bland taste and are ok with warmer water. That is also the standard pricing for them both.

https://biogen.co.za/shop/electrolyte-plus-fizzy-value-pack-30-tabs/?attribute_product-flavour=Citrus&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22713933753&gbraid=0AAAAACYmGdN6x-TCyQOPx_HRkH26GqVJ4&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFkUiwsa_sdcdeDkMlCA9SNJXL3isVfZamS0dqJWHKLNHaBDoJV4V3xoCHDgQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.dischem.co.za/lifestyle-electrolyte-fizzy-30s-145?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19103199011&gbraid=0AAAAAo1J0TyPRy1pXFQZyQUXMPfKsyomj&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFnMojrrTnBH7K8kg3R9O7J0BTumhJUjmfL7ygxJEFGxmgH8fm7TRRBoCHUUQAvD_BwE

[dexterdent]

I am very far from an expert on this, but as far as I could tell the following three things are the most important:

1. Sodium - get this from table salt

2. Potassium - get this from "low-sodium salt" (instead of pure NaCl), low sodium salt is often 50% KCl. Just check the ingredient list

3. Magnesium - harder to get in a cheap way, I just trust that my morning multivit has enough and it doesn't seem that urgent timing wise

There's also calcium but I don't know enough about that. There's some cramping-related stuff here but I think I drink enough milk that it hasn't really bothered me.

I found it useful to add this to my home made energy drink until I felt like I was getting enough in - this amount seems to vary significant from person to person.

Take this advice with a grain of salt - if you are really interested go speak to an expert.

[bleedToWin]

Compared to gels, getting the taste balanced is probably harder. I'm happy with the new SiSu one at R5 a serving. Mild lemon lime flavour gives it a salty mocktail vibe if the water is cold enough...

[peetwindhoek]

The attached image is what I’ve been using for the last two years, mainly because electrolytes get expensive very quickly.

The basic ingredients are simple:

• Sea salt (sodium chloride)
• Sodium-free salt (potassium chloride)
• Magnesium (citrate, glycinate or malate)

All three are easily available at Dis-Chem, Faithful-to-Nature, Takealot, or most health shops. They cost a fraction of commercial electrolytes and a single batch lasts for months.

There are some nuances with the magnesium. I use magnesium citrate, which works well, but it can upset some people’s stomachs. It’s cheaper than the other forms, but a quick Google comparison will show the pros and cons between citrate, glycinate and malate if you want to experiment.

[Dobri]

1 hour ago, dave303e said:

I use the biogen effervescent tablets, R150 for 30 of them gets it down to R4.90 a bottle.

It is cheap enough and requires no added admin. 

There is also a lifestyle effervescent at dischem which is R130 for 30, R4,30 a bottle.

Both have relatively bland taste and are ok with warmer water. That is also the standard pricing for them both.

https://biogen.co.za/shop/electrolyte-plus-fizzy-value-pack-30-tabs/?attribute_product-flavour=Citrus&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22713933753&gbraid=0AAAAACYmGdN6x-TCyQOPx_HRkH26GqVJ4&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFkUiwsa_sdcdeDkMlCA9SNJXL3isVfZamS0dqJWHKLNHaBDoJV4V3xoCHDgQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.dischem.co.za/lifestyle-electrolyte-fizzy-30s-145?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19103199011&gbraid=0AAAAAo1J0TyPRy1pXFQZyQUXMPfKsyomj&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFnMojrrTnBH7K8kg3R9O7J0BTumhJUjmfL7ygxJEFGxmgH8fm7TRRBoCHUUQAvD_BwE

Thank you, I use Biogen too as I found it to be the cheapest but I missed the Lifestyle ones, I will give it a try.  

[Dobri]

29 minutes ago, peetwindhoek said:

The attached image is what I’ve been using for the last two years, mainly because electrolytes get expensive very quickly.

The basic ingredients are simple:

• Sea salt (sodium chloride)
• Sodium-free salt (potassium chloride)
• Magnesium (citrate, glycinate or malate)

All three are easily available at Dis-Chem, Faithful-to-Nature, Takealot, or most health shops. They cost a fraction of commercial electrolytes and a single batch lasts for months.

There are some nuances with the magnesium. I use magnesium citrate, which works well, but it can upset some people’s stomachs. It’s cheaper than the other forms, but a quick Google comparison will show the pros and cons between citrate, glycinate and malate if you want to experiment.

Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for. I will need to find Magnesium Malate as I react to the citrate version, not good on long rides. 

How do you measure the mg? Even on Temu I struggle to find a scale that measure less than 1 gram. 

[guidodg]

https://runographer.com/2015/12/homemade-sports-drink-for-the-ultimate-diy-running-nutrition/

 

I have been using this for about 4 years, identical to Tailwind at 1\4 the price 

[dave303e]

When are we as humans going to realise how badly marketing teams are fooling us when it comes to food intake.

Salt is Sodium Chloride.

Remove the Sodium and you get Chlorine(gas)

The stuff they are selling as 'sodium free salt' should just be called what it is, Potassium Chloride. But no one will buy that because 'sodium free salt' sounds less bad for you even.

[dave303e]

1 hour ago, Dobri said:

Thank you, I use Biogen too as I found it to be the cheapest but I missed the Lifestyle ones, I will give it a try.  

lifestyle ones are not with the other sports supplements, so prepare to walk the isles to find them, there is another blue brand in there as well sometimes which is even cheaper

 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Have a look at the Enduren products. Very mild flavour - almost tasteless. Ever so slight hint of candyfloss in the unflavoured one if you’re a bit heavy handed with the scoop. Very easy on the stomach. 

[Guest Mike Dewing]

My Brain read the title and said, “homemade electrolytes…  you mean like from a tap.?!” 🤦‍♂️🤣

im going back to sleep.!🤣

[JoeMerida]

I Experiment mixing my own Sealant and my own Lube.

I wouldn't experiment with anything that I Eat or Drink.

Chemicals React with Each Other.

[betaboy]

4 hours ago, JoeMerida said:

I Experiment mixing my own Sealant and my own Lube.

I wouldn't experiment with anything that I Eat or Drink.

Chemicals React with Each Other.

I guess the takeaway from this is, just don’t drink your sealant! 🤔🤭

[Spirog]

I've been using this - Kokee | Everyday Hydration Lekker flavour. About R8 per serving.

[Liam_Volschenk]

I use this clicks recovery drink, at R2.60 per serving its the cheapest I've found, the flavour is not bad either.