When the temperatures begin to rise, our first inclination
is to drink as much water as possible. This is good, in fact it is necessary,
but there is something else our body needs as well. When we sweat a great deal, due to physical
exertion or extreme heat, we lose electrolytes through that sweat. Those
electrolytes are common minerals that we all need - sodium, potassium,
magnesium and more.
If we are depleting these minerals through sweating and we
continue to drink a lot of water we only exacerbate the problem by flushing our
system of the minerals it needs to maintain the all-important electrolyte
balance in which we can retain enough fluid for functioning while continuing to
flush out toxins through our urine.
Now, one can reach for one of the many sports drinks on the
market labeled as “electrolyte drinks”. They do contain various added minerals
to help support that electrolyte balance when you need it most, but what they
also contain is loads of sugar. There is
a beverage, however, that contains ionic minerals, small amounts of (needed)
sugar, and lactic acid - all of which can perfectly maintain that electrolyte
balance naturally. The beverage I speak
of is the lacto-fermented beverage. These beverages are naturally fermented
through a process of lactic acid bacteria fermentation. The acids naturally
present plus the sugars used in the ingredients produce a drink more hydrating
than water because of its mineral content.
The General Lacto-Fermented Beverage Formula
There are various lacto-fermented beverages that one can
consume on those hot summer days, which we will get to in a moment, but there
is a basic formula for a homemade cultured beverage you can make in your home
kitchen. A simple combination of live
whey (strained from cultured yogurt or kefir), sugars (juice and or
sweeteners), and flavorings (herbs, fruits, extracts, etc.) can be combined
with water to make myriad flavors of lacto-fermented super hydrating beverages.
Experiment by using about 1/2 cup of whey per gallon of water combined with
sweeteners and flavorings to taste.
A Host of Cultured Beverages
There are more specific lacto-fermented beverage recipes you
can prepare as well.
·
Kombucha. (http://www.culturesforhealth.com/kombucha)
This fermented tea beverage is regaining popularity for its delicious and
healthful benefits. Because of its detoxing properties some find it slightly
dehydrating so it is best consumed in smaller quantities along with plenty of
fresh water.
·
Water Kefir. (http://www.culturesforhealth.com/water-kefir)
This is popular as an electrolyte beverage because of its light, sweet, fizzy
flavor. It is delicious when flavored with various fruits, which makes it
especially well-suited for those hot summer days.
·
Orangina. (http://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/01/52-weeks-of-bad-a-bacteria-week-2-orangina-lacto-fermented-orange-juice/)
This is a lacto-fermented orange beverage made popular by the book Nourishing
Traditions by Sally Fallon.
·
Lacto-Fermented Lemonade. (http://www.foodrenegade.com/fresh-natural-healthy-lemonade/)
This fizzy, sweet, and tangy version of lemonade is lower and sugar and higher
in minerals and enzymes than the lemonade you may have grown up with.
A Note on Summer Fermentation
The catch-22 of these lacto-fermented electrolyte beverages
is that you will be culturing them during the hottest part of the year.
Fermentation is a fluid process, with the results depending greatly on
environmental factors such as temperature and time. So, if your kitchen is above 85°F in the
summertime you may have to watch your ferments closely. Check them every
day to be sure that the gases they produce will not explode your bottles. Also,
realize that they will culture faster in the warmer temperatures and the rapid
process can sometimes produce off flavors. So do try to find the coolest place
in your home for culturing these beverages as well as all of your other
cultured foods.
(Source for full article:
http://www.culturesforhealth.com/lacto-fermented-electrolyte-drinks)
