Top 6 Electrolyte Drinks for Seniors
Updated on May 16, 2024 / 4 min read
To maintain optimal bodily function, seniors need to drink 9 (women) to 13 cups (men) of water daily. If they are not able to meet this requirement through water alone, they can fulfill their hydration needs with homemade electrolyte drinks, fruit juices, and foods with high moisture content. The best electrolyte drinks for seniors are those that serve multiple purposes, including promoting consistent blood circulation, providing energy, and offering a delightful taste.
Purified mineral water
This may seem like the most obvious entry on the list, but there are only a few things that can truly substitute water and its myriad benefits for one’s health. Simple mineral water contains the complete range of minerals and electrolytes that are required by seniors to keep their bodies enriched. Plain water is pure and safe to drink, and contains a host of minerals like potassium, magnesium sulfate, and calcium carbonate. More importantly, purified mineral water does not contain the unwanted elements, such as needless calories, excessive amounts of sugar, and sodium that many other beverages possess and can adversely affect one’s health.
100% vegetable juice
Vegetables are not only rich in nutrients but also moisture content. Lettuce, spinach, squash (for example, pumpkin and butternut), celery, and certain other vegetables contain high amounts of retained water. These vegetables can be squeezed to make fresh juices that are packed with nutritional content.
Also, unlike many fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices do not contain excessive amounts of sugar. In fact, certain vegetable juices, like those made from bitter gourd, spinach, or bitter melon, help reduce blood sugar and prevent diabetes-related symptoms in older people. So, for seniors with blood sugar problems, such juices are the perfect concoction to consume.
Vegetable juices may not be the most delicious, but they are still considered among the top 5 electrolyte drinks for seniors because of their amazing health benefits.
Milk
The good old milk has to make it on this list. This pure and natural beverage is known to be an exceptional superfood due to its nutritional value, making it a staple in many meal routines across the globe. For many seniors, a glass of milk represents a substantial source of nourishment, almost like a small meal, because of its nutrition content. For seniors without any lactose intolerance-related issues, adding milk to their daily meals can significantly improve their overall health as milk contains essential electrolytes and nutrients such as riboflavin, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium, and potassium.
That said, milk has some limitations. For many older adults, it can present challenges in digestion, sometimes proving to be quite taxing. For those with lactose intolerance or milk-related digestive issues, alternative options such as almond, rice, coconut, oats, and cashew milk can serve as excellent substitutes for traditional cow’s milk found in conventional dairy stores.
Despite the drawbacks for some individuals, particularly seniors, when it comes to identifying the optimal sources of electrolytes for older people, milk is a perfect option.
Coconut water
Nothing can match the all-natural, organic, and deeply satisfying feeling of refreshment that a fresh glass of coconut water provides. There are many myths surrounding the remedial properties of coconut water. While not all of them may be true, fresh coconut water still packs an electrolytic punch and can be considered a good hydrating agent for seniors. Moreover, potassium, a prominent component of coconut water, is great for the heart and helps lower one’s blood pressure levels.
Further, coconut water is not overly complicated. All it contains is pure water infused with a rich blend of vitamins and minerals naturally found in coconuts. Natural, homemade coconut water is far more superior to packaged versions filled with unwanted sugars and calories.
100% fresh fruit juice
Due to their naturally high water content, fresh fruits are an obvious choice of ingredient to make high-electrolyte drinks for seniors. Some of the best hydrating juices can be made by squeezing strawberries, citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemons, and oranges), and cantaloupes.
As implied earlier, homemade juices are better than store-bought ones. This is because packaged fruit juices are loaded with refined sugars that can raise one’s blood sugar levels, complicating existing conditions or leading to other health problems. On the other hand, fresh fruit juices are loaded with minerals and electrolytes and come with natural sugars that are organically sweet, and if had in moderation, do not increase the risk of diabetes among seniors.
Green tea
A common mistake many people make when choosing electrolytic drinks is opting for tea or coffee. These beverages contain high amounts of caffeine, an element that is known to raise blood pressure and cause a host of sleep-related disorders.
Green tea is a great substitute for regular tea or coffee due to its minimal to zero caffeine content. In addition, it serves as a great hydrating beverage that is loaded with electrolytes and essential minerals. Moreover, the catechin compound found in this tea has demonstrated a positive impact on specific neurons, which may, in turn, help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease among seniors.
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